Photo: Antikor
According to Golosameriki, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted that her choice of candidates was influenced by pressing issues facing the European Union: climate change, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the growing influence of China.
At a press conference, von der Leyen stated that climate change “provides the backdrop for everything we do,” adding that the “security issue caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as the competitiveness issue, have a significantly greater impact on the composition” of her new team.
The European Commission has the authority to propose new EU laws, block mergers, and sign free trade agreements.
Each of the 27 member states will have one seat in the Commission, similar to the role of a government minister, although the political weight varies significantly depending on the portfolio.
Former Lithuanian Prime Minister, MEP, and EP rapporteur on Russia, Andrius Kubilius, will become the EU’s first Commissioner for Defense. His task will be to bolster Europe’s military production capacity in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Spanish Minister for Energy and Environment, Teresa Ribera, will become the new Antitrust Commissioner, also responsible for a “clean, fair, and competitive transition.”
The list of new commissioners includes French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, who will oversee industrial strategy. Slovak diplomat Maroš Šefčovič will manage trade policy, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will handle external relations.
Polish Ambassador to the EU, Piotr Serafin, has been appointed to oversee the EU budget.
All candidates will undergo hearings in the European Parliament to secure the approval of legislators. The new Commission is expected to start its work by the end of the year.
