Article 53Appointment of the European Data Protection Supervisor

1. The European Parliament and the Council shall appoint the European Data Protection Supervisor by common accord for a term of five years, on the basis of a list drawn up by the Commission following a public call for candidates. The call for candidates shall enable all interested parties throughout the Union to submit their applications. The list of candidates drawn up by the Commission shall be public and shall consist of at least three candidates. On the basis of the list drawn up by the Commission, the competent committee of the European Parliament may decide to hold a hearing in order to enable it to express a preference.

2. The list of candidates referred to in paragraph 1 shall be made up of persons whose independence is beyond doubt and who are acknowledged as having expert knowledge in data protection as well as the experience and skills required to perform the duties of European Data Protection Supervisor.

3. The term of office of the European Data Protection Supervisor shall be renewable once.

4. The duties of the European Data Protection Supervisor shall cease in the following circumstances:

(a)

if the European Data Protection Supervisor is replaced;

(b)

if the European Data Protection Supervisor resigns;

(c)

if the European Data Protection Supervisor is dismissed or required to take compulsory retirement.

5. The European Data Protection Supervisor may be dismissed or deprived of his or her right to a pension or other benefits in his or her stead by the Court of Justice at the request of the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, if he or she no longer fulfils the conditions required for the performance of his or her duties or if he or she is guilty of serious misconduct.

6. In the event of normal replacement or voluntary resignation, the European Data Protection Supervisor shall nevertheless remain in office until he or she has been replaced.

7. Articles 11 to 14 and 17 of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union shall apply to the European Data Protection Supervisor.