BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Commission has announced a significant leadership change, removing its top legal officer from the role just hours after a crucial court ruling criticized the institution’s handling of communications with pharmaceutical executives.
Daniel Calleja y Crespo, who has served as the director-general of the Commission’s legal service since 2020, will transition to leading the Commission’s representation office in Spain. The announcement came shortly after the Court of Justice’s general court determined that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had erred by failing to disclose text messages exchanged with a boss from a pharmaceutical company.
While the Commission did not mention the recent court decision in its press release, it characterized the leadership change as being “in the interest of the service.” The timing has raised eyebrows given the connection to the recent legal setback.
In his 35-year career, Calleja y Crespo has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and deep understanding of European Union legislation. The Commission highlighted his expertise as it prepares to place him in a crucial role in Spain, where it maintains offices in each EU capital and major cities across the continent.
The legal service, overseen by Calleja y Crespo, is responsible for representing the Commission in judicial matters and offers legal advice on documents with potential legal ramifications. According to the department’s website, the Commission generally aligns with the legal guidance provided by its director-general.
Current head of the Commission’s office in Spain, Lucas González Ojeda, will be succeeded by Calleja y Crespo, although a start date for the transition has not yet been specified.
In addition to this significant personnel shift, the Commission has also appointed former Commissioner Johannes Hahn as a special envoy focused on Cyprus, signaling a broader strategy in its diplomatic efforts.
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