Praneet Thakar
On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a significant announcement regarding her new team for her second term, which will extend through 2029. This update is crucial for understanding the future direction of the European Union, but it can be quite complex for those not familiar with the workings of Brussels and the EU. POLITICO aims to clarify these developments, breaking down the key aspects of what transpired.
Ursula von der Leyen, who was elected for a second term in July, has been in office since 2019. Her appointment was the result of a deal between then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, who selected her for this prominent role from relative obscurity.
On Tuesday, she introduced her new team of 26 nominees, each representing one of the EU’s member countries, plus von der Leyen herself, who will remain Germany’s commissioner. These individuals will be tasked with implementing her vision for the EU over the next five years.
The European Commission, one of the three main EU institutions alongside the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, plays a vital role in the bloc. It is managed by the College of Commissioners, consisting of 27 members including von der Leyen.
The Commission oversees a substantial staff and is responsible for tasks such as drafting the EU’s annual budget, ensuring the implementation of EU laws, and upholding fundamental rights and the rule of law.
The selection process for the European Commission involves a sequence of steps. After the European Parliament elections every five years, the EU’s 27 leaders propose a candidate to lead the Commission. This candidate is then approved through a vote by the European Parliament.
Following this, each EU member state nominates a commissioner, who should ideally work for the collective good of the EU. Von der Leyen also requested each country to submit two candidates, one male and one female, though many capitals did not comply this time.
The College of Commissioners is akin to presidential cabinets or government ministries in other countries. Each commissioner is responsible for specific policy areas, known as portfolios, and manages a team of staff organized into Directorates-General.
These commissioners develop strategic objectives in alignment with the president’s priorities, draft legislative proposals, and submit them for adoption. If approved, these proposals move to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for further consideration.
The legislative process within the EU is intricate. Once the Commission adopts a proposal, the European Parliament and the Council review and suggest amendments. Representatives from all three institutions then negotiate to reach a consensus on these amendments, which, if agreed upon, turn the proposal into law.
The Commission’s proposed regulations become effective across the EU upon adoption, and member countries typically have two years to incorporate them into national law.
The distribution of influential positions within the College of Commissioners often reflects the political power of member states. Traditionally, France and Germany secure the most prominent roles. However, with recent shifts in political power, other countries have been able to secure more significant positions this time.
For example, Spain’s Teresa Ribera has obtained a major portfolio overseeing EU competition policy, while Finland’s Henna Virkkunen has been assigned an executive vice presidency related to security. Conversely, Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi, nominated by Viktor Orbán, has received less desirable roles.
The next steps involve each nominee appearing before the European Parliament for detailed scrutiny during extensive hearings.
The Parliament has the power to reject the entire team if it finds any nominee unsuitable, which could lead to von der Leyen needing to propose replacements. While she aims to have her new team operational by November 1, the practical timeline may extend to December.
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