International Politics Graduate becomes EU Commissioner

Virginijus Sinkevičius confirmed as EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

We are very proud to announce that on 1 December 2019 a graduate of the Department of International Politics, Virginijus Sinkevičius, took up the Post of EU Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. He graduated in 2012 with a degree in Political Studies (now Politics), went onto to undertake a Masters degree, and was until recently the Minister of Economy and Innovation in Lithuania.

Dr Patrick Finney, Head of the Department, said: “It's fantastic news that our former student, Virginijus Sinkevičius, has been appointed as an EU Commissioner. He has enjoyed a stunningly successful political career since his graduation in 2012, and this marks another great achievement for him. His success demonstrates one of the many potential practical applications of a rigorous training in political studies. It's also very pleasing that Virginijus has taken on the environment portfolio - the challenges posed by climate change are increasingly recognised as the most momentous of our age, which is why we are currently expanding our provision in this vital area.”

In September 2017 he returned to the Department to run a a seminar as a guest of the Department and the David Davies Memorial Institute.

His term of office runs until 31 October 2024.

Many congratulations to Virginijus on this fantastic achievement and we wish him all the best in his new role.

Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2019 10:59:00 GMT