Von der Leyen’s controversial envoy pick resigns hours before start date

After mounting criticism, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s controversial pick for a lucrative job has resigned, just hours before his first day as representative for small-and-medium sized enterprises.

Von der Leyen has been battling accusations of favoritism from Commissioners and the European Parliament since awarding the highly paid job to German MEP Markus Pieper, who hails from the same German political party. Pieper had been due to start the role Tuesday.

“The President both respects and regrets Markus Pieper’s decision not to take up his post as SME Envoy on 16 April as planned,” said a statement released late on Monday night, after Handelsblatt broke the news.

The controversy around her envoy pick adds to a growing list of potential problems for von der Leyen as she seeks a second term as European Commission President.

Over half of MEPs in the European Parliament voted in favor of an amendment last week telling von der Leyen to rerun the appointment process.

Pieper signed the contract on March 31, despite the fact that two other shortlisted candidates for the post, both women, had reportedly received higher scores on tests during the selection process.

The controversy around her envoy pick adds to a growing list of potential problems for von der Leyen as she seeks a second term as European Commission President.

European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell and Commissioners Nicolas Schmit, Paolo Gentiloni and Thierry Breton, who all work under com der Leyen, criticized Pieper’s appointment, in a sign that Commission unity is waning as the European election approaches.

Speaking to Handelsblatt, Pieper said: “Just as Breton has already boycotted my taking office within the Commission in advance, I currently see no possibility of fulfilling the legitimate expectations associated with the office.”

Pieper also said that Breton’s decision to question his appointment was “bad style and solely motivated by party politics.”

A terse statement released late on Monday evening includes what appears to be a barbed reference to the Parliament vote.

“The autonomy of each EU institution in appointing its senior officials must be respected,” it read. “The President has therefore decided to suspend the reopening of the selection procedures for the position of SME Envoy until after the European elections.”

Resigning the post before taking it up means Pieper can remain as an MEP.