BRUSSELS: The European Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner, Ms Anna Diamantopoulou, is to take leave from her duties in Brussels to stand for parliament in Greece.
The Commission said yesterday that the Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, had agreed to allow Ms Diamantopoulou to abstain from her duties during the Greek campaign, when she will head the list of candidates for the ruling PASOK. Her duties will be assumed by the Environment Commissioner, Ms Margot Wallström.
The Commission leaves office in October and there is speculation in Brussels about a number of commissioners leaving office early to return to national politics.
Ms Diamantopoulou has been tipped in Greece as a possible finance minister in the next government. Her selection as her party's leading candidate is seen as an attempt to win the support of young voters at the March 7th election.