EU's Juncker takes swipe at Barroso over Goldman Sachs job
- 8 years ago
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has slammed his predecessor’s appointment as an advisor to Goldman Sachs due to the bank’s role in the financial crisis.
Jose Manuel Barroso was named as a non-executive chairman of the US investment bank in July, sparking an outcry amongst some members of the European Parliament.
Goldman Sachs admitted in April that it had defrauded US investors by selling them sub-prime financial products, paying out just over five billion dollars.
Juncker’s comments came in a live YouTube chat with three young ‘stars’ who have made a name for themselves on the website.
“Personally I do not have a problem with him working for a private bank – but maybe not this bank,” said Juncker in an interview with French YouTuber Laetitia Birtes.
“Goldman Sachs was one of the organizations that knowingly or unknowingly contributed to the enormous financial crisis between 2007 and 2009.”
The former prime minister of Luxembourg also took questions on the recent tax scandal in Europe, including his role in shaping sweetheart tax deals in the Grand Duchy.
“Very often, bank robbers and poachers are amongst the best police forces,” said Juncker.
The interview was broadcast live on euronews.com as part of a partnership with YouTube and the European Commission.
Jose Manuel Barroso was named as a non-executive chairman of the US investment bank in July, sparking an outcry amongst some members of the European Parliament.
Goldman Sachs admitted in April that it had defrauded US investors by selling them sub-prime financial products, paying out just over five billion dollars.
Juncker’s comments came in a live YouTube chat with three young ‘stars’ who have made a name for themselves on the website.
“Personally I do not have a problem with him working for a private bank – but maybe not this bank,” said Juncker in an interview with French YouTuber Laetitia Birtes.
“Goldman Sachs was one of the organizations that knowingly or unknowingly contributed to the enormous financial crisis between 2007 and 2009.”
The former prime minister of Luxembourg also took questions on the recent tax scandal in Europe, including his role in shaping sweetheart tax deals in the Grand Duchy.
“Very often, bank robbers and poachers are amongst the best police forces,” said Juncker.
The interview was broadcast live on euronews.com as part of a partnership with YouTube and the European Commission.