Viviane Reding, Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship
(Luxembourg, Christian Democrat)

Background

Viviane Reding was a Parliamentarian in Luxembourg for over 20 years and then an MEP between 1989 and 1999.  In 1999 she was appointed as the Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth, Media and Sport.  In 2004 she was reappointed by the government of Luxembourg and served a second term as the Commissioner for Society and Media.  In that role she carved out a substantial reputation for herself, spearheading many legislative reforms including the Telecoms Package and on the issue of mobile telephone roaming charges.

 

Stated objectives on taking office

• To reorient policies in the fields of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, and to turn them into practical results;
• To make the Charter of Fundamental Rights be the guiding principle of all EU policies;
• To ensure a “Zero Tolerance Policy” as regards violations of the Charter;
• To strengthen the EU position in data protection;
• To launch a new gender equality strategy;
• To create a European response to violence against women and strengthen children’s rights;
• To propose an applicable law in matrimonial affairs.

Members of the Cabinet

Martin SELMAYR, Head of Cabinet
Viviane HOFFMANN, Deputy Head of Cabinet
Bartho PRONK, Advisor, Inter-institutional Relations
Michael SHOTTER, Legal Adviser
Telmo BALTAZAR, Member, Criminal Law and General Justice issues
Dana TRAMA-ZADA, Member, Gender Equality and Anti-discrimination
Jan OSTOJA-OSTASZEWSKI, Member, Data Protection and External Relations in the Field of Justice and Home Affairs

Matthew NEWMAN, Spokesperson

 

Main actions to date

• Proposing a new solution to achieve legal certainty in cross-border marriages;
• Putting forward new legislation to help people exercise the right to a fair trial anywhere in the EU where they cannot understand the language of the case;
• Assessing the possibility of proposing a multi-disciplinary package of actions, including harmonisation of criminal offences and sanctions for female genital mutilation.

What to expect

Viviane Reding is considered as one of the success stories of the previous Commission and as someone who made an impact and produced clear results, attracting substantial (and largely positive) media coverage. She is now a Vice-President of the Commission and, if her first 100 days in office are a barometer, appears to intend to maintain a high profile under Barroso II.   On her new portfolio it is likely that she will not be afraid of stepping on the toes of Member States on issues where she has a strong personal connection.