Asked about his role in the institution, he told us that he was the interface between the administration and the political level (=MEPs). That means he has to “translate” the political will into an administrative request, and has to explain MEPs our constraints as officials.

Do I now see my job differently? Not really since we’re very far from the Secretary general, and thus much more far away from the political arena. In addition, the Secretary general has still – in my opinion – a much more political role than he said. He’s not only the interface between politics and administration, but he’s part of a party-political game.