Today, President-elect Ursula von der Leyen presented her team and the new structure of the next European Commission. The new Commission will reflect the priorities and ambitions set out in the Political Guidelines. The Commission is structured around the objectives President-elect von der Leyen was elected on by the European Parliament.
At the heart of our work is the need to address the changes in climate, technology and demography that are transforming our societies and way of life. Existing powers are going down new paths alone. New powers are emerging and consolidating. This has left a feeling of unease and anxiety in many communities across Europe. The EU must lead the transition to a healthy planet and a new digital world. But it can only do so by bringing people together and upgrading our unique social market economy to fit today’s new ambitions.
A new structure, tailored to what we want to achieve
The new College will have eight Vice-Presidents, including the High-Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy (Josep Borrell). The Vice-Presidents are responsible for the top priorities in the Political Guidelines. They will steer our work on the most important overarching issues, such as the European Green Deal, a Europe fit for the digital age, an economy that works for people, protecting our European way of life, a stronger Europe in the world and a new push for European democracy. The Commissioners are at the centre of the structure of the new College. They will manage the expertise provided by the Directorates-General.
Three Executive Vice-Presidents will have a double function. They will be both Vice-President responsible for one of three core topics of the President-elect’s agenda and Commissioners.
- Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans (Netherlands) will coordinate the work on the European Green Deal. He will also manage climate action policy, supported by the Directorate-General for Climate Action.
- Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager (Denmark) will coordinate our whole agenda on a Europe fit for the digital age and be the Commissioner for Competition, supported by the Directorate-General for Competition.
- Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis (Latvia) will coordinate the work on an Economy that Works for People and be the Commissioner for financial services, supported by the Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.
The five other Vice-Presidents are:
- Josep Borrell (Spain, current Spanish Foreign Minister): HR/VP-designate, A Stronger Europe in the World;
- Věra Jourová (Czech Republic, Commissioner in the Juncker Commission): Values and Transparency;
- Margaritis Schinas (Greece, former Member of the European Parliament, long-serving official of the European Commission): Protecting our European Way of Life;
- Maroš Šefčovič (Slovakia, Vice-President in the Juncker Commission): Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight;
- Dubravka Šuica (Croatia, Member of the European Parliament): Democracy and Demography.
Nuevos Comisarios
- Johannes Hahn (Austria) will be in charge of ‘Budget and Administration’.
- Didier Reynders (Belgium) will be responsible for ‘Justice‘ (including the topic of the rule of law).
- Mariya Gabriel (Bulgaria) is now moving on to create new perspectives for the young generation (‘Innovation and Youth’ portfolio).
- Stella Kyriakides (Cyprus) will lead the ‘Health‘ portfolio.
- Kadri Simson (Estonia) will be in charge of the ‘Energy‘ portfolio.
- Jutta Urpilainen (Finland) will take over responsibility for ‘International Partnerships’.
- Sylvie Goulard (France) will also be responsible for the new Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space.
- László Trócsányi (Hungary) will bring his experience to the new Commission in the ‘Trade‘ portfolio.
- Paolo Gentiloni (Italy) will be sharing his vast experience in the ‘Economy‘ portfolio.
- Virginijus Sinkevičius (Lithuania) will be responsible for ‘Environment and Oceans’.
- Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg) will now be responsible for the ‘Jobs‘ portfolio.
- Helena Dalli (Malta) will lead the ‘Equality‘ portfolio.
- Janusz Wojciechowski (Poland) will be in charge of the portfolio ‘Agriculture‘.
- Elisa Ferreira (Portugal) will lead the ‘Cohesion and Reforms’ portfolio.
- Rovana Plumb (Romania) will be in charge of the ‘Transport‘ portfolio.
- Janez Lenarčič (Slovenia) will be in charge of the ‘Crisis Management‘ portfolio.
- Ylva Johansson (Sweden) will take over responsibility for the ‘Home Affairs‘ portfolio.
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