(14/11/2016)
Written question on Commissioner Günther Oettinger’s racist, homophobic and sexist comments
Question for written answer
to the Commission
On 26th October, Commissioner Günther Oettinger gave a speech in Hamburg where he made racist, homophobic and sexist comments. Commissioner Oettinger’s comments are concerning given that he is poised to become Vice-President for Budget and Human Resources where he will be responsible for gender equality and equal opportunityies within the European Commission.
Anti-discrimination and equality are some of the core European values on which the European Union is founded. The refusal of the European Commission to uphold and defend these values threatens the credibility and legitimacy of the European Union as a whole.
Is the Commission still intending to appoint Commissioner Günther Oettinger in his new brief as Vice-President for Budget and Human Resources?
How does the Commission intend to ensure that Commissioners and European Commission staff uphold and promote European values such as those in the Charter of Fundamental Rights?
Will the Commission, when appointing the Commissioner responsible for Human Resources, make a clear commitment to adopt internal staff policies for the European Commission that fully ensure non-discrimination based on all grounds set out in the EU treaties and case law, promote diversity, and in this way create a truly inclusive workplace for everyone?