The European Union’s chief justice official Didier Reynders on Monday officially announced his candidacy to lead the Council of Europe, a human rights organization based in Strasbourg, according to the institution.
Reynders will be competing with former Swiss president Alain Berset and Estonia’s former culture minister Indrek Saar, who are the other two candidates shortlisted for the position of secretary general after interviews were conducted with all candidates last week.
During the selection process, Reynders will have to take a leave of absence from his role as EU justice chief. It is currently uncertain who will temporarily replace him to oversee work on justice and consumer protection until after the European Parliament election on June 6-9. The European Commission has not yet provided a response.
