Former Romanian journalist named deputy spokesperson of the European Commission

President elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has appointed Dana Spinant, a former Romanian journalist, currently EU official, as the EC deputy spokesperson, reads a Commission press release.

“The President-elect has today designated her core media relations team: Jens Flosdorff as Executive Communication Adviser in the President’s cabinet and responsible for the President’s media activities, Eric Mamer as Chief Commission Spokesperson and Dana Spinant as Deputy Chief Spokesperson“, reads the EC press release.

Romanian Dana Spinant is currently director in charge of budget, communication and general affairs in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. Before that, she was a head of unit in charge of irregular migration (2015-2017) and of drugs policy (2010-2014). Prior to joining the Commission, Dana Spinant worked for 15 years in journalism, including as editor and deputy editor of European Voice (2002-2009), deputy editor of EUobserver.com (2001-2002), as well as news director and Brussels correspondent for various Romanian TV channels.

Jens Flosdorff, a German national with 15 years’ experience in political communication, is currently part of the President-elect’s transition team. He was director of communication in the German ministries of defence and of social affairs over the past ten years.

Eric Mamer, a French national, is currently Director in charge of competitiveness and the European semester in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

Eric Mamer and Dana Spinant will start in their new positions once the von der Leyen Commission takes office – which according to the Treaties is 1 November 2019. The current team of the Spokesperson’s Service remains in charge until the end of the mandate of the Juncker Commission.