New eIDAS Technical Specifications - Brexit and new Commission delayed?

Release of the eIDAS Technical Specifications v 1.2

Today the CEF eID team announced the release of the updated version of technical specifications for the eIDAS interoperability framework. The release of the technical specifications is creating the platform enabling practical connectivity between eID means from different Member States to foster interoperability.

The Commission also provides, as part of the CEF eID services, a sample implementation based on these technical specifications, which the Member States can adopt as an "off-the-shelf" implementation.(Opinion 5/2019)

[1] eIDAS SAML Attribute Profile v1.2.pdf

[2] eIDAS Message Format v1.2.pdf

[3] eIDAS Cryptographic Requirement v.1.2.pdf

[4] eIDAS Interoperability Architecture v.1.2.pdf

The Next EU Commission still expected to take office on December 1st

After last weeks’ European Parliament decision to reject the names of three Commissioner-designate from France Romania and Hungary, the Von der Leyen Commission is facing delay and won’t be able to start on November 1st.

The European Parliament agreed last week to postpone the final vote on the new Commission until the week of November 25th.

French media expect France to propose Michel Barnier (EPP) – the current EU’s Chief Negotiator for the Brexit - as a Commissioner (source le Parisien). Indeed, some of the fiercest opposition to Goulard – who is a member of the liberal-centrist Renew Europe group - came from the European People's Party. The choice of EPP candidate could put an end to European Parliament's conservative objections.

“With the rejection of Sylvie Goulard, Macron’s candidate for the Commission, Brussels needs a new French nominee de toute urgence. And, the EU’s outgoing chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier needs a new job,” writes Eoin Drea from the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies.

However, French President Macron strongly advocates that France keeps its broad portfolio, which encompasses the EU's internal market, industrial policy, and defense.

Romania, whose government collapsed last week, could take more time to appoint a new nominee.

Delayed Brexit?

On Thursday, 17 EU leaders endorsed a new Brexit Withdrawal, which was withheld by the British parliament on Saturday. British prime minister Johnson on Saturday was forced to send to Brussels a request to delay the October 31 deadline until January 31, 2020.

European Council President Donald Tusk is now consulting EU leaders over Johnson's request. Amélie de Montchalin, France's European affairs minister explained that France would not support any delay without clarity from the U.K. over what would be done with the extra time. (source BFMTV). According to German Economy Minister Peter Almaeier, the EU could grant a longer extension id the UK decides to hold an election or a second Brexit referendum. (source Deutschlandfunk radio).