The EU has allowed a former top Green Deal official to take up a role for a major gas network operator — although with restrictions imposed on his work there.
Diederik Samsom, who was chief of staff to former EU Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans and a key architect of the European Green Deal, announced in June that he would be joining the Dutch state-owned firm Gasunie as chair of the supervisory board.
Shortly afterward, it emerged that Samsom had accepted the paid role before applying for clearance from the European Commission under its revolving door rules, which are aimed at preventing conflicts of interest and undue influence on officials.
On Thursday, Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari told POLITICO via email that “after a thorough examination of Mr. Samsom’s responsibilities in the Commission, of his envisaged professional activity and of risks resulting thereof for the interests and reputation of the Institution, the Commission has imposed clear conditions and has authorized the employment, subject to respect of the restrictions.”
