President Juncker temporarily assigns the Digital Economy and Society portfolio to Vice-President Andrus Ansip

As decided by President Juncker on 28 October 2016, Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger will be the Commissioner responsible for Budget and Human Resources as of 1 January 2017, following Vice-President Georgieva’s resignation from her post as Member of the European Commission as of 31 December 2016 at midnight. Today, President Juncker has decided to transfer temporarily, as of 1 January 2017, Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger’s current portfolio of Digital Economy and Society to Vice-President Andrus Ansip. This will come in addition to Vice-President Ansip’s current responsibilities which already entail coordinating many of the key files under this portfolio, working closely with other Commissioners, the European Parliament and the Council on several important proposals in this area. Given his experience, expertise and good network amongst Members of the European Parliament, Prime Ministers and relevant Ministers, Vice-President Ansip is ideally placed to ensure continuity in this portfolio during this temporary period. In addition, President Juncker invited Commissioner Oettinger to work closely with Vice-President Ansip to allow an orderly transition of this important portfolio.