Jens Flosdorff, a close associate of von der Leyen, is to head up EU citizen communications
The European Commission confirmed on September 30, 2026, the appointment of Jens-Alexander Flosdorff as Director of Citizen Communication. A communications advisor to Ursula von der Leyen, he will head a department responsible for monitoring public opinion and managing communication campaigns. The Commission stated that the selection process was competitive and based on merit.
An appointment announced by the Commission
When questioned about this choice at a press briefing, the Commission confirmed that Jens-Alexander Flosdorff had been appointed to this position within its Directorate-General for Communication. It defended the procedure as « merit-based » and in accordance with its rules for selecting senior officials. This response comes after questions had been raised about the candidate’s background and the number of applicants.
The position was advertised as an AD14 grade post. The call for applications opened on 19 December 2025 and applications could be submitted until 29 January 2026. The official notice classifies it among the permanent positions of the Commission’s civil servants. It therefore does not allow the position to be presented as a « lifetime » appointment in the sense of a guaranteed job until death.
According to information reported by the Journal du Dimanche, 66 people applied. Jens Flosdorff, a close associate of the Commission President for some twenty years and a media advisor within her inner circle, was selected. He is to replace Sophia Eriksson Waterschoot, who had been serving as interim Secretary-General.
Campaign communication and budget
The director’s duties include analyzing public opinion, welcoming visitors, and engaging with young people. According to the JDD, he will also be responsible for an annual budget of 50 million euros allocated to the Union’s communication campaigns.
The newspaper reports that the position corresponds to a salary at grade AD14 exceeding €18,000 per month, or approximately €216,000 per year, in addition to allowances. It specifies that a significant portion of the salary is tax-exempt. These amounts and terms were reported by the JDD.
Criticism of the links with the cabinet
The close relationship between Flosdorff and Ursula von der Leyen is fueling questions reported in Brussels. A Commission member quoted by the JDD believes that practices have changed regarding the transfer of cabinet staff to departments linked to the commissioner they previously worked for. The Commission, for its part, has defended the regular and competitive nature of the procedure.
National Rally MEP Anne-Sophie Frigout strongly criticized the appointment, which she sees as a sign of a system where unelected officials favor their relatives. She also cited the precedent of Markus Pieper, appointed in 2024 as the EU’s Special Envoy for SMEs before resigning under pres, according to her remarks reported by the JDD. Frigout asserts that the Patriots for Europe group will demand answers.
Source: All the news from the Journal du dimanche (www.lejdd.fr)
Original article: See the original source
Author: leJDD
