PASOK deputy Maria Dam-anaki will be Greece’s next European commissioner, Prime Minister George Papandreou revealed after the EU leaders’ summit on Thursday when he hailed as “a great success”.
“I have chosen a person who has made a big contribution to Greek political life, with many struggles for democracy, and I am sure that she will make a contribution to Europe, whichever position she takes up on the Commission,” said Papandreou of Damanaki.
Greece’s current commissioner, Stavros Dimas, holds the environment portfolio.
Maria Damanaki is a Greek politician, former president of Synaspismos and currently a state member of the Hellenic Parliament with PASOK.
Papandreou also said that Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, who was appointed EU president, could “contribute to the EU’s unity” and EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, who will be in charge of foreign policy, as a “progressive” politician who will “strengthen Europe’s voice around the world”.