The Leffler effect

Yet more signs of life in the cabinet of Margot Wallström, the European commissioner for communication. Christian Leffler, an external relations expert, became chef de cabinet after the departure of Rolf Annerberg, the long-time head of her private office. There is now a discernible Leffler effect. Patrick Costello, former external relations adviser to Josep Borrell, when he was president of the Parliament, is becoming deputy head of the office. He worked with Leffler when Leffler was a director in the Commission for the external relations department. Costello replaces Antonia Carparelli, who has been Annerberg's deputy since the days when Wallström was environment commissioner. That leaves Anne Bergenfelt as the only hang-over from the Wallström cabinet of the Romano Prodi era.