Latvian diplomat Juhansone to be top European Commission civil servant

During her time as acting secretary-general Juhansone became the front-runner for the senior position, despite working in the EC for a relatively short time. She has, however, developed a relationship with new Commission President Ursula von der Leyen while stepping into her new position.

Latvietei augstākais ierēdņa amats Eiropas Savienībā! ? ?? Eiropas Komisija burtiski tikko apstiprināja, ka Ilze Juhansone būs @EU_Commission ģenerālsekretāre (iepriekš bija pienākumu izpildītāja, vēl agrāk - LV vēstniece ES) https://t.co/bOUDgEjFkn

— Ilze Nagla (@ilzenagla) January 14, 2020

The Commission’s Director General for Research and Innovation, Frenchman Jean-Eric Paquet as well the Commission's Director General for Environment, Spaniard Daniel Calleja Crespo were also candidates. The job descriptions stated that only directors-general could apply.

As previously reported on July 25, 2019, Juhansone, a former Latvian diplomat and current deputy secretary-general of the European Commission, was appointed European Commission acting secretary-general.

Juhansone, then Latvia’s ambassador to the European Union, was appointed the European Commission’s deputy secretary-general in 2015.

Prominent Latvian officials including President Egils Levits. Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš and EC vice president Valdis Dombrovskis were quick to offier their congratulations.