Former Austrian center-left MP Pamela Randi-Wagner has been appointed head of the European Union Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm. An experienced tropical disease specialist returns to his roots.

Randy-Wagner was previously the federal party leader of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ). Explanation “Respect and gratitude.”

ECDC has the support of two-thirds of the governing body, which consists of 27 representatives of EU countries, two representatives of the European Parliament and three representatives of the European Commission.

Before his official appointment, he will be invited to speak to MEPs on the health committee.

“We look forward to their upcoming hearing in the European Parliament in March,” said Anni Virolainen-Julkunen, Chair of the ECDC Management Board.

Randy-Wagner won the race against three other candidates.

She is the first woman to lead the Austrian SPÖ from 2018 to 2023. But in 2023, he lost the election for party leadership and withdrew from politics.

ECDC's mission is to strengthen Europe's defense against infectious diseases. It plays a role in monitoring the spread of COVID-19 strains and coordinating EU responses to new diseases.

Austrian Health Minister Johannes Rauch said his “long political experience” and “extensive expertise in the field of epidemiology” made him the perfect candidate for the job.

Rendy-Wagner replaces German Andrea Ammon, who has headed the ECDC since 2017.

[Bearbeitet von Zoran Radosavljevic]