Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Fri 05 May 2007Commissioner defends decision to run in Belgian electionsBELGIUM:EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel has shrugged off criticism of his decision to stand in the Belgian elections, saying it will give him an opportunity to promote Europe during the campaign.At a European Parliament committee hearing yesterday investigating his decision to take a one month's unpaid leave of absence from the commission, Mr Michel told MEPs his decision was not a "rude act" and fully conformed with the EU code of conduct.