English

Markus Pieper in the European Parliament.

Video. Von der Leyen's SME Envoy appointment disputed

Updated: 05/04/2024 - 12:23 GMT+2

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is embroiled in a row over favouritism, after appointing German MEP Markus Pieper as Envoy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, a five-year post with a salary of nearly 17,000 euros a month.

Read full article

Top stories

Now playing Next

Fans flock to Japan zoo to see viral baby monkey Punch

Now playing Next

Latest news bulletin | February 22nd, 2026 – Evening

Now playing Next

'A Beautiful Mess' makes a new start in Europe easier for refugees

Now playing Next

Fans flock to Japan zoo to see viral baby monkey Punch

Now playing Next

Seven Chinese tourists drown after car falls through ice in Russia

Now playing Next

Hungary blocks adoption of EU sanctions package until Ukrainian oil supplies resume

Now playing Next

Secret Service shoots and kills armed man at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate

Now playing Next

More than 100,000 plastic lids complete world's tallest recycled mural in El Salvador

Now playing Next

Latest news bulletin | February 22nd, 2026 – Midday

Now playing Next

Alcaraz stays perfect in 2026 with dominant Doha title run

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More from Europe News

Europe News

EU calls emergency meeting over Hungary and Slovakia's energy standoff with Ukraine

Europe News

Hungary and Slovakia halt diesel exports to Ukraine amid oil transit dispute

Europe News

EU Commission boycotts Paralympics opening ceremony over Russian and Belarusian flags

Europe News

Belgium reprimands US ambassador over circumcision accusations

Latest video

Iran

Iranian students renew anti-government protests in Tehran amid a US military buildup

Green News

Milan-Cortina 2026: Can the Winter Olympics leave a sustainable legacy?

World News

Over 3,000 people march in France in honour of far-right activist

Russia

Seven Chinese tourists drown after car falls through ice in Russia

Lebanon

Hezbollah says Israeli strikes on eastern Lebanon on Friday have killed eight of its members

World News

Parliamentary election campaings begin in Hungary

Cinema

Women's rights documentary ‘River Dreams’ makes historic Berlinale premiere

Food and Drink

Food for friends: Thai food finds a home in Doha’s multicultural dining scene

ADVERTISEMENT

Economy

Trump raises global tariffs from 10% to 15% 'effective immediately'

Culture news

The Sagrada Família reaches maximum height after more than a century

Cinema

Reunification review: Berlinale film explores Friedrichstrasse after the fall of the Wall

United Kingdom

Police continue searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's residences after release from custody

Economy

US Supreme Court blocks Trump tariffs in a major hit to White House agenda

No Comment

First Friday of Ramadan sees mass prayers at al Aqsa and shattered Gaza

Poland

E5 defence ministers in Krakow say 'Europe has woken up'

Space

Uzbekistan prepares for first homegrown satellite and astronaut mission

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT