The European Ombudsman is seeking clarification on the recruitment of M. Barroso, from Goldman Sachs

The European Ombudsman is seeking clarification on the recruitment of M. Barroso, from Goldman Sachs

The European Ombudsman wrote to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker requesting clarification as to the recruitment of its predecessor, Jose Manuel Barroso, from Goldman Sachs, and recommending a review of the Commissioners' code of conduct.

"The appointment, for which the Commission considers that in line with the code of conduct, raises questions about the correctness of the code" itself observes Emily ORaili in a letter dated yesterday published today on the website of the European Ombudsman (Ombudsman Ombudsman), who is responsible for examining complaints made by the citizens at the expense of EU institutions.

"It is not enough to say that not violated any rule, we must take into account the spirit and intent of this article of the Treaty and change the code to reflect this exactly," he adds.

Hiring July, Jose Manuel Barroso by Goldman Sachs as consultant for Vrexit provoked strong reactions in Europe.

However, the Commission considered that it violated no law, just pointing out that it remains committed to the "professional secrecy" as a former chairman of the executive arm of the European Union.

The code of good conduct signed by Commissioners provides for a 18-month period of "cooling" after the end of their term, during which they will have to ask permission from their former employer to engage in private business. Barroso left office in November 2014.

Apart from the strong opposition expressed mainly in France under the left government or even in Portugal from where hails the appointment of Barroso caused concern to many MEPs and a resolution of EU staff.