New structure of the European Commission: Priorities and balance in the new leadership team

In a meeting today with the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission presented the planned structure for the new College of Commissioners, based on her political guidelines and the outcome of intensive negotiations with Member States. The main focus of this team is on prosperity, security and democracy, with a clear commitment to competitiveness in Europe’s technological and ecological transition..

Key priorities include strengthening technological sovereignty, security, and building a decarbonised and circular economy, ensuring a just transition. It also seeks to design a bold industrial strategy with innovation and investment at its core, supporting European cohesion and the development of the regions. This approach will be reflected in the six proposed executive vice-presidents, who will assume strategic responsibilities in interrelated areas.

A highlight of the new structure is the commitment to a more agile and collaborative structure. In addition, the effort to achieve a gender balance has been highlighted, with the proposal of 40% of women in the school, compared to the initial 22%.

The team includes key figures such as Teresa Ribera, who will be responsible for clean and competitive transition, and Henna Virkkunen, in charge of technological sovereignty and security. In addition, there will be Kaja Kallas as High Representative, underlining the importance of a foreign policy aligned with European interests.

This new college of Commissioners reflects geographical and experiential diversity, integrating members from different generations and backgrounds, but united in the common goal of strengthening Europe in a global context of growing geostrategic rivalries. The proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament for formal consideration.

Further information: Press statement by President von der Leyen