Didier Reynders, the current European Commissioner for Justice, has lost the race to become the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for the second time in a row. The parliamentary assembly elected Alain Berset, the former president of the Swiss Confederation, as the new Secretary-General. Reynders came in third in the vote, receiving only 46 preferences. The term of office for the new Secretary-General will begin on September 18. Reynders will return to his role within the European Commission for the remaining months of his term. It is unclear what his future will be within the ranks of the Reformist Movement party. Reynders had announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Council of Europe in early January. The Belgian government has chosen Věra Jourová as Reynders' replacement as EU Justice Commissioner. Reynders will be on leave from April 25 to pursue his candidacy for the Council of Europe. Reynders' defeat makes it highly unlikely that he will be confirmed at the Commission for the next institutional cycle. [4c49da76]