Article 1
In Rule VII.2 of the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696, the following paragraph is inserted after the second paragraph:
‘By way of exception to the second paragraph of this point and to the second paragraph of Rule VI.2, where it is sufficiently established that it is objectively impossible for a Member State, given the exceptional circumstances in that Member State, to find a third eligible candidate within a reasonable time, in spite of having deployed all necessary efforts to do so, the selection panel may, after consulting the Member State concerned and giving sufficient grounds, provide its reasoned opinion to the Council on only two eligible candidates.’.