Von der Leyen Commission I

The von der Leyen Commission was the European Commission in office from 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2024. It consisted of one commissioner from each of the member states of the European Union – including Ursula von der Leyen, its president, who is from Germany.

Von der Leyen Commission

7th Commission of the European Union
The College of Commissioners in 2021
Date formed1 December 2019
Date dissolved30 November 2024
People and organisations
President of the CommissionUrsula von der Leyen (EPP, GER)
Vice-President(s) of the Commission
No. of commissioners27
Member parties
  •   EPP (11)
  •   PES (8)
  •   ALDE Party (6)
  •   ECR Party (1)
  •   EGP (1)
Status in legislature
  • 421 / 705 (60%)
  • Informal Coalition (421):
History
Election(s)2019 European Parliament election
Legislature term(s)Ninth
Budget(s)€165.8 billion (2019)
PredecessorJuncker Commission
SuccessorVon der Leyen Commission II

The commission was scheduled to take office on 1 November 2019; however, the French, Hungarian and Romanian commissioner-candidates lost their confirmation votes by the European Parliament in early October 2019,[1] so new commissioners had to be selected from those three member states by the President-elect and subsequently confirmed by the Parliament. This process took place in November 2019 and the Commission eventually took office in its entirety on 1 December 2019.[2]

Election

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President

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Following the example of the 2014 European Election, in advance of the 2019 elections the main European political parties named so-called spitzenkandidaten, or leading candidates, who were the parties' candidates to become the next president of the European Commission. All of the parties named at least one candidate; some named two, while the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE), which officially opposed the system of spitzenkandidaten, introduced "Team Europe," which consisted of several high-ranking European politicians. However, other parties perceived those candidates, especially Margrethe Vestager of Denmark, as leading candidates.

After winning 2019 European election, the European People's Party claimed that the position of the President of the European Commission should be given to them and wanted their leading candidate Manfred Weber for the job. However, Weber faced strong opposition from the liberal-leaning French President Emmanuel Macron and the ALDE, and from the Party of European Socialists (PES) as well; opposition was driven by Weber's lack of experience, since he had only previously served as MEP and never held any governmental position.[3] The PES strongly supported the candidature of Frans Timmermans, who also had support from most of the ALDE members of the European Council. (Andrej Babiš, then Czech Prime Minister, is a member of the ALDE but also of the Visegrad Four, which strongly opposed Timmermans because of his support for migration quotas and inability to reach compromises.[4]) The ALDE Party wanted to see Margrethe Vestager taking the top Commission job.

The first European Council meeting was held on 20 and 21 June 2019, bringing no decision on distribution of EU top jobs. President Donald Tusk summoned leaders again for a special meeting that lasted from 30 June until 2 July 2019. Over three days of negotiations, the EPP gave up on Weber becoming the President of the commission; it seemed that Timmermans might be nominated, especially after he met with Bulgarian Prime Minister and EPP member Boyko Borisov at the Bulgarian Embassy in Belgium during the meeting of the European Council. Naming Timmermans President of the European Commission would have been a part of the so-called Osaka deal, a plan that was formed by several EU leaders (Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Giuseppe Conte, Donald Tusk, Mark Rutte, and Pedro Sánchez) during the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

However, the opposition from Visegrad Four, now joined by Croatia and Italy, was still strong, and Timmermans could not win a Council majority. Other names mentioned during the negotiations included Michel Barnier, Kristalina Georgieva and Andrej Plenković; it became clear after the Council ended that Plenković's name had been introduced by Commission Secretary-General Martin Selmayr, who is Plenković's close friend. The candidature was rejected by Macron, who opposed the personal ambitions of leaders.[5]

When Ursula von der Leyen (EPP)'s name emerged as a potential candidate, it was a surprise and she faced many critics, mainly because she had not been a spitzenkandidat. The German Social Democratic Party, part of the German government coalition, opposed von der Leyen due to her work as minister of defence, which resulted in the German Chancellor Angela Merkel's abstention during the council's vote on the proposal. Nevertheless, all other European Council members voted in favor, and she was nominated as the next President of the European Commission. Von der Leyen, a member of the European People's Party (EPP), was selected and proposed to the European Parliament by the European Council on 3 July 2019 following three days of negotiations between leaders of the member states. Von der Leyen faced many critics, especially among MEPs, since the European Council ignored the so-called spitzenkandidat system when choosing her for the position.

On 16 July 2019, the European Parliament took a vote on the proposal by the European Council and elected Von der Leyen with 383 votes (374 votes needed). Before the vote, Von der Leyen had received the support of three largest political groups in the Parliament (EPP, S&D and RE); during the debate the conservative Polish party Law and Justice with 24 MEPs and the Italian Five Stars Movement (M5S) with 14 MEPs declared their support. Based on the result of the vote, nearly 100 MEPs of the unofficial grand coalition EPP-S&D-RE did not vote for Von der Leyen. Based on the debate and public announcements of the MEPs, most of the MEPs voting against von der Leyen probably came from the S&D group, including the German Social Democratic Party, which publicly opposed Von der Leyen because of her work as German Defence Minister.[6]

Required majority
374 out of 747  Y
Public voting indication
(individual votes unknown, as the ballot was secret)
GUE/NGL S&D G/EFA RE EPP ECR ID NI
Yes
383 / 747
73 or more 108 or less

  ALDE (108)[10]

182 or less 26 or more

  PiS-SP (26)[9]

14 or more

  M5S (14)[12]

No
327 / 747
41 or less

  GUE/NGL[13]

42 or more 74 or less 9 or more 5 or more 42 or more 29 or more

  Brexit (29)[12]

Abstentions
23 / 747
Absentees
14 / 747
Total : 747 41 153 74 108 182 62 73 54

Le Grand Continent published a detailed analysis of the secret ballot.[7] The authors numbered the public pledges of national delegations and individual MEPs as amounting to 410, which is 27 more than what von der Leyen ultimately received. To explain the difference, they suggested three scenarios: one in which the support of delegations from the S&D group (some for, some against, some equivocal) was lower than admitted, another in which MEPs from the populist parties in government (Poland's PiS, Hungary's Fidesz and Italy's M5S) were claiming support only to gain leverage, and a half-way scenario which they see as the likeliest. In two of these three scenarios, the S&D group, which for decades was the pillar of the Grand coalition in Europe, no longer has a majority of MEPs supporting the Commission.

Commission

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Even before Von der Leyen's confirmation, she pledged to renominate Frans Timmermans, the spitzenkandidat of the Party of European Socialists as the First Vice President. Margrethe Vestager, one of the leading candidates of the Alliance of Liberal and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE), was chosen as vice president as well, having de facto equal position to that of Timmermans.

Von der Leyen requested that member states each propose two candidates, a man and a woman, so it would be easier to form a gender-balanced commission. France's Thierry Breton was the last candidate to be designated on 24 October 2019 by Emmanuel Macron.

Following her election, President of the European Council Donald Tusk asked von der Leyen to give her consent on appointing Josep Borrell of Spain as the next EU High Representative. Consent was given on 26 July 2019, following which the European Council officially appointed Borrell as the next High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 5 August 2019.[21][22][23]

The commission was approved by the European Parliament on 27 November 2019, receiving 461 votes, with 157 against and 89 abstentions. EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and half of the ECR voted in favour. The Greens/EFA abstained.[24]

Commission Votes cast Majority In favour Against Abstain Source
Von der Leyen Commission 707 374[citation needed] 461 157 89 [25]

Commissioners-designate

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The responsible committee held a 3-hour hearing of the Commissioner-designate to examine the candidate's competence and suitability. Committee decided if candidate is suitable to become a European Commissioner and if their knowledge of the portfolio is sufficient. After each hearing, the committee voted on the candidate. Decisions of the committee were first taken by the coordinators of the EP political groups, at this point each candidate needed support of 2/3 of coordinators, if support was reached, the candidate was confirmed. If such support was not reached, then committee as a whole took a vote on a Commissioner-designate, where a candidate needed the support of the majority of committee members. If candidate was rejected by the committee as well, President-elect could propose a new candidate, in which case a new hearing would take place for a new candidate. Coordinators could also decide to hold additional hearing of 1.5 hours or demand additional written answers. If there were more committees hearing one candidate, all committees would give a joint evaluation.[citation needed]

The first round of hearings took place from 30 September until 8 October 2019, followed by the evaluation by the BCPR (Conference of Presidents) on 15 October 2019. If any of the candidates would be rejected by the responsible committee, new hearings would take place on 14 and 15 October 2019, followed by BCPR evaluation on 16 October 2019. BCPR closed hearings process on 17 October 2019.[26] Before the hearings begin, Committee on Legal Affairs, on 19 September 2019, examined if there was a possibility of a conflict of interests for any of the candidates for commissioners.[citation needed]

The United Kingdom, which had been expected to leave the EU on 31 October 2019, did not nominate a candidate for commissioner.[27]

It was reported by Euractiv on 26 September 2019 that commissioners-designate László Trócsányi of Hungary (Neighbourhood and Enlargement) and Rovana Plumb of Romania (Transport) will be questioned by the European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee about their declarations of interests due to potential conflict of interests and "discrepancies in property statements". Other commissioners-designate were approved by the committee, including Didier Reynders of Belgium (Justice) and Sylvie Goulard of France (Internal Market) who are under investigation by respective national authorities due to corruption allegations or misuse of EU money, according to one of the MEPs because the Committee does not have the authority to question candidates beyond facts stated in the declarations od interests. Euractiv also reports that Janusz Wojciechowski of Poland (Agriculture) might as well be questioned by the committee.[28] Euractiv reported later that day that Rovana Plumb of Romania was rejected as a European Commissioner-designate by 10 votes to 6 (with 2 abstentions). Hungarian Commissioner-designate László Trócsányi was rejected on 26 September as well by 11 votes to 9 due to his personal finances in connection with his law firm, he founded before becoming Minister of Justice and due to concerns about "connections to Russia" in relation to extradition of Russian suspects to Russia.[29] It is up to the President-elect Ursula von der Leyen to take further decisions on candidates, while JURI approval is a necessary precondition for hearings to take place. This was the first time that candidates have been rejected by the JURI Committee.[citation needed]

Following the JURI Committee decision to reject László Trócsányi, he published a statement on his Twitter account later that day, stating that he will take all legal steps against the decision.[30] This could have an impact on the process of formation of the new European Commission which is due to take office on 1 November 2019.[citation needed]

The Legal Affairs Committee was asked to decide on both rejected candidates again and on 30 September 2019 JURI again rejected both of the candidates, Plumb with 13 votes to 7 and Trócsányi with 12 votes to 9.[31] Following the vote, President-elect Von der Leyen asked the national governments of Romania and Hungary to propose new candidates. Hungary already proposed a new candidate Olivér Várhelyi, its Permanent Representative to the EU.[32]

According to several media reports hearings before the European Parliament committees could be tough for:[33][34]

  • Janusz Wojciechowski - European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture (due to ongoing investigation by OLAF regarding irregularities in the reimbursement of travel expenses when he was MEP; it was reported on 27 September by Politico that OLAF dropped investigation because Wojciechowski already paid the money back to the European Parliament)[35][36]
  • Didier Reynders - European Commissioner-designate for Justice (due to investigation by the national authorities regarding corruption and money laundering in the Democratic Republic of Congo; it was reported by Politico on 27 September 2019 that Belgian prosecutor dropped the investigation against Reynders and found no wrongdoing)[37][38]
  • Sylvie Goulard - European Commissioner-designate for Internal Market (due to alleged misuse of EU funds)[39]
  • Paolo Gentiloni - European Commissioner-designate for Economy (due to his role in Italian economy as Prime Minister)[34]
  • Dubravka Šuica - Vice-President-designate for Democracy and Demography (due to personal finances and possession of many real estate worth more than 5 million euros in light of her work as teacher, mayor and MP, and due to her views on women's rights, especially freedom of birth and due to her past votings as MEP where she objected abortion)[40]
Schedule of the hearings
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Date 9:00-12:00 14:30-17:30 18:30-21:30
30 September 2019 Maroš Šefčovič
of   Slovakia
Vice-President-designate for Inter-Institutional Relations and Foresight
Phil Hogan
of   Ireland
European Commissioner-designate for Trade
AFCO JURI PETI ITRE
INTA
Mariya Gabriel
of   Bulgaria
European Commissioner-designate for Innivation and Youth
ITRE CULT
1 October 2019 Nicolas Schmit
of   Luxembourg
European Commissioner-designate for Jobs
Janusz Wojciechowski[41]
of   Poland
European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture
HEARING NO. 1
László Trócsányi[42]
of   Hungary
European Commissioner-designate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement
NO HEARING HELD
EMPL ECON
AGRI ENVI
AFET
Jutta Urpilainen
of   Finland
European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships
Ylva Johansson
of   Sweden
European Commissioner-designate for Home Affairs
Stella Kyriakidou
of   Cyprus
European Commissioner-designate for Health
DEVE
LIBE
ENVI AGRI
2 October 2019 Didier Reynders
of   Belgium
European Commissioner-designate for Justice
Helena Dalli
of   Malta
European Commissioner-designate for Equality
Elisa Ferreira
of   Portugal
European Commissioner-designate for Cohesion and Reforms
LIBE JURI IMCO
FEMM EMPL LIBE
REGI BUDG ECON
Rovana Plumb[43]
of   Romania
European Commissioner-designate for Transport
NO HEARING HELD
Sylvie Goulard
of   France
European Commissioner-designate for Internal Market
HEARING NO. 1
Janez Lenarčič
of   Slovenia
European Commissioner-designate for Crisis Management
TRAN ENVI
IMCO ITRE JURI CULT
DEVE ENVI
3 October 2019 Paolo Gentiloni
of   Italy
European Commissioner-designate for Economy
Virginijus Sinkevičius
of   Lithuania
European Commissioner-designate for Environment and Oceans
Margaritis Schinas
of   Greece
Vice-President-designate for Protecting our European Way of Life
ECON BUDG EMPL
PECH ENVI
LIBE CULT EMPL
Kadri Simson
of   Estonia
European Commissioner-designate for Energy
Johannes Hahn
of   Austria
European Commissioner-designate for Budget and Administration
Dubravka Šuica
of   Croatia
Vice-President-designate for Democracy and Demography
ITRE ENVI
BUDG CONT JURI
AFCO EMPL
7 October 2019 Věra Jourová
of the   Czech Republic
Vice-President-designate for Values and Transparency
AFCO LIBE JURI
Josep Borrell
of   Spain
Vice-President-designate for A Stronger Europe in the World
and
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
AFET
8 October 2019 Valdis Dombrovskis
of   Latvia
Executive Vice-President-designate for Economy that Works for People
and
European Commissioner-designate for Financial Markets
Margrethe Vestager
of   Denmark
Executive Vice-President-designate for Europe Fit for Digital Age
and
European Commissioner-designate for Competition
Frans Timmermans
of the   Netherlands
Executive Vice-President-designate for the European Green Deal
and
European Commissioner-designate for Climate Action
ECON EMPL BUDG
ITRE IMCO ECON JURI
ENVI ITRE TRAN
Janusz Wojciechowski[41]
of   Poland
European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture
HEARING NO. 2
AGRI ENVI
10 October 2019 Sylvie Goulard
of   France
European Commissioner-designate for Internal Market
HEARING NO. 2
IMCO ITRE JURI CULT
Source:[44]
  Confirmed candidate
  Candidate with additional hearing
  Rejected candidate
  Responsible Committee
  Associated Committee

Coordinators of political groups in the responsible committees decided that additional written answers will be requested by and potentially additional hearing of 1.5 hours should be held for:

  •   Janusz Wojciechowski of Poland, European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture (additional hearing on 8 October 2019)[45]
  •   Sylvie Goulard of France, European Commissioner-designate for Internal Market (additional hearing on 10 October 2019)[46]
  •   Ylva Johansson of Sweden, European Commissioner-designate for Home Affairs
Hearings
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Candidate Official
nomination
Portfolio Committee vote Refs
Date Committee In favor Against Abstain
EPP Johannes Hahn   AUT 22 July 2019 Budget and Administration 3 October 2019 BUDG Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[47]
CONT
JURI
ALDE Didier Reynders   BEL Justice 2 October 2019 LIBE Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
JURI
IMCO
EPP Mariya Gabriel   BUL 23 July 2019 Innovation and Youth 30 September 2019 CULT Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[48][49]
ITRE
EPP Dubravka Šuica   CRO 22 August 2019 Democracy and Demography (Vice President) 3 October 2019 AFCO Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[50][51]
EMPL
EPP Stella Kyriakidou   CYP 23 July 2019 Health 1 October 2019 ENVI Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[52][53]
AGRI
ALDE Věra Jourová   CZE 26 August 2019 Values and Transparency (Vice President) 7 October 2019 LIBE Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[54][55]
AFCO
JURI
ALDE Margrethe Vestager   DEN 1 August 2019 A Europe Fit for the Digital Age (Executive Vice President) 8 October 2019 ECON Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[56]
ITRE
IMCO
JURI
ALDE Kadri Simson   EST 22 July 2019 Energy 3 October 2019 ITRE Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[57][58]
ENVI
PES Jutta Urpilainen   FIN 22 July 2019 International Partnerships 1 October 2019 DEVE Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[59]
Ind. Thierry Breton   FRA Internal Market IMCO
ITRE
JURI
CULT
EPP Margaritis Schinas   GRE 23 July 2019 Promoting the European Way of Life (Vice President) 3 October 2019 LIBE Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[60][61]
CULT
EMPL
EPP Olivér Várhelyi   HUN 1 October 2019 Neighbourhood and Enlargement AFET [62]
EPP Phil Hogan   IRL 31 July 2019 Trade 30 September 2019 INTA Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[63][64]
PES Paolo Gentiloni   ITA 6 September 2019 Economy 3 October 2019 ECON Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[65][66]
BUDG
EMPL
EPP Valdis Dombrovskis   LAT 23 July 2019 An Economy that Works for People (Executive Vice President) 8 October 2019 ECON Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[67]
EMPL
BUDG
Ind. Virginijus Sinkevičius   LIT 28 August 2019 Environment, Oceans and Fisheries 3 October 2019 ENVI Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[68]
PECH
PES Nicolas Schmit   LUX Jobs and Social Rights 1 October 2019 EMPL Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
ECON
PES Helena Dalli   MLT 31 July 2019 Equality 2 October 2019 FEMM Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[69]
EMPL
LIBE
PES Frans Timmermans   NED 24 July 2019 European Green Deal (Executive Vice President) 8 October 2019 ENVI Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[70]
ITRE
TRAN
ECR Janusz Wojciechowski   POL 2 September 2019 Agriculture 10 October 2019 AGRI Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[71]
ENVI
PES Elisa Ferreira   POR 26 August 2019 Cohesion and Reforms 2 October 2019 REGI Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[72]
BUDG
ECON
PES Adina-Ioana Vălean   ROM 7 October 2019 Transport TRAN [73]
ENVI
PES Maroš Šefčovič   SVK 19 July 2019 Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight (Vice President) 30 September 2019 AFCO Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[74][75]
JURI
PETI
ITRE
ALDE Janez Lenarčič   SLO 26 July 2019 Crisis Management 2 October 2019 DEVE Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[76][77]
ENVI
PES Josep Borrell   ESP Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (Vice President) 7 October 2019 AFET Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[78][79][80]
PES Ylva Johansson   SWE 8 August 2019 Home Affairs 1 October 2019 LIBE Confirmed by the Coordinators
no Committee vote
[81]
  Responsible Committee
  Associated Committee
Rejected candidates
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Candidate Portfolio Date Reason
PES Rovana Plumb   ROM Transport 26 September 2019 Rejected by the JURI Committee due to discrepancies in her declarations of interests.
EPP László Trócsányi   HUN Neighbourhood and Enlargement 26 September 2019 Rejected by the JURI Committee due to his personal finances in connection with his law firm and possible connections with Russia.
ALDE Sylvie Goulard   FRA Internal Market 10 October 2019 Rejected by the responsible committees after the hearing with 82 votes against, 29 in favour and 1 abstention.

College of Commissioners

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Von der Leyen Commission II
Confirmation by the European Parliament on 27 November 2024Appointment by the European Council on 28 November 2024
Portfolio Designee Portfolio Designee Portfolio Designee
President  
Ursula von der Leyen
of   Germany

(EPPCDU)

First Vice President and Executive Vice President

Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
Competition
 
Teresa Ribera Rodríguez
of   Spain

(PESPSOE)

Executive Vice President

Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Digital and frontier technologies
 
Henna Virkkunen
of   Finland

(EPPKok)

Executive Vice President and European Commissioner

Trade
 
Valdis Dombrovskis
of   Latvia

(EPPV)

Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy  
Josep Borrell
of   Spain

(PESPSOE)

Vice President and European Commissioner

Promoting the European Way of Life
 
Margaritis Schinas
of   Greece

(EPPND)

Vice President and European Commissioner

Values and Transparency
 
Věra Jourová
of   Czech Republic

(ALDEANO)

Vice President and European Commissioner

Democracy and Demography
 
Dubravka Šuica
of   Croatia

(EPPHDZ)

European Commissioner

Climate Action
 
Wopke Hoekstra
of the   Netherlands

(EPPCDA)

European Commissioner

Budget
 
Johannes Hahn
of   Austria

(EPPÖVP)

European Commissioner

Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
 
Iliana Ivanova
of   Bulgaria

(EPPGERB)

European Commissioner

Jobs and Social Rights
 
Nicolas Schmit
of   Luxembourg

(PESLSAP)

European Commissioner

Economy
 
Paolo Gentiloni
of   Italy

(PESPD)

European Commissioner

Agriculture
 
Janusz Wojciechowski
of   Poland

(ECRPiS)

European Commissioner

Internal Market
 
Thierry Breton
of   France

(ALDEInd.)

European Commissioner

Cohesion and Reforms
 
Elisa Ferreira
of   Portugal

(PESPS)

European Commissioner

Health and Food Safety
 
Stella Kyriakides
of   Cyprus

(EPPDISY)

European Commissioner

Justice
 
Didier Reynders
of   Belgium

(ALDEMR)

European Commissioner

Equality
 
Helena Dalli
of   Malta

(PESPL)

European Commissioner

Home Affairs
 
Ylva Johansson
of   Sweden

(PESS)

European Commissioner

Crisis Management
 
Janez Lenarčič
of   Slovenia

(ALDEInd.)

European Commissioner

Transport
 
Adina Vălean
of   Romania

(EPPPNL)

European Commissioner

Neighbourhood and Enlargement
 
Olivér Várhelyi
of   Hungary

(EPPInd.)

European Commissioner

International Partnerships
 
Jutta Urpilainen
of   Finland

(PESSDP)

European Commissioner

Energy
 
Kadri Simson
of   Estonia

(UnaffiliatedEK)

European Commissioner

Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
 
Virginijus Sinkevičius
of   Lithuania

(EGPLVŽS)

European Commissioner

Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union
 
Mairead McGuinness
of   Ireland

(EPPFG)

Changes

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  • 26 August 2020: Following Golfgate and a controversy about his travels in Ireland in preceding weeks, which conflicted with the Irish COVID-19 guidelines, Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan resigned.[82]
  • 12 October 2020: Mairead McGuinness, Ireland's nominee to replace Phil Hogan is confirmed by the European Parliament and appointed as a European Commissioner by the Council of the European Union.[83]
  • 15 May 2023: Mariya Gabriel resigns as Commissioner after being tasked with forming the next Bulgarian government.[84]
  • 22 August 2023 Frans Timmermans resigns as Executive Vice President for the European Green deal following his selection as a candidate for Prime Minister of the Netherlands in the 2023 Dutch general election.[85]
  • 19 September 2023: Iliana Ivanova, Bulgaria's nominee to replace Mariya Gabriel is confirmed by the European Parliament and appointed as a European Commissioner by the Council of the European Union.[86]
  • 9 October 2023: Wopke Hoekstra, Netherlands's nominee to replace Frans Timmermans is confirmed by the European Parliament and appointed as a European Commissioner by the Council of the European Union.[87]
  • 15 June 2024: Commissioner Adina-Ioana Vălean and Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius resigned with effect on 15 and 16 July from the Commission, in order to take up their seat at the European Parliament, to which they have been elected. President von der Leyen decided to temporarily assign the responsibilities for Environment, Ocean and Fisheries to Executive Vice-President Šefčovič, in addition to his current portfolio and to assign the responsibilities for Transport to Commissioner Hoekstra, in addition to his current portfolio.[88]
  • 16 September 2024: Commissioner Thierry Breton resigns as Commissioner after accusing Von der Leyen of blocking his renomination to his portfolio in the Second von der Leyen Commission. His responsibilities were temporarily assigned to Margrethe Vestager [89]

Group organization

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Von der Leyen has organized the Commission into groups supervised by the designated executive vice presidents and vice presidents. The members as of 31 May 2024 are below.[90]

Group Commissioner Portfolio(s)
European Green Deal Maroš Šefčovič European Green Deal (executive vice president)
Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight
Stella Kyriakides Health and Food Safety
Adina Vălean Transport
Kadri Simson Energy
Virginijus Sinkevičius Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
Janusz Wojciechowski Agriculture
Elisa Ferreira Cohesion and Reforms
Wopke Hoekstra Climate Action
A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager A Europe Fit for the Digital Age (executive vice president)
Competition
Thierry Breton Internal Market
Nicolas Schmit Jobs and Social Rights
Didier Reynders Justice
Iliana Ivanova Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
An Economy That Works for People Valdis Dombrovskis An Economy That Works for People (executive vice president)
Trade
Nicolas Schmit Jobs and Social Rights
Paolo Gentiloni Economy
Elisa Ferreira Cohesion and Reforms
Mairead McGuinness Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union
Promoting Our European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas Promoting Our European Way of Life (vice president)
Helena Dalli Equality
Ylva Johansson Home Affairs
Stella Kyriakides Health and Food Safety
Nicolas Schmit Jobs and Social Rights
Iliana Ivanova Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
A Stronger Europe in the World Josep Borrell A Stronger Europe in the World (vice president)
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Olivér Várhelyi Neighbourhood and Enlargement
Janez Lenarčič Crisis Management
Jutta Urpilainen International Partnerships
A New Push for European Democracy Věra Jourová Values and Transparency (vice president)
Didier Reynders Justice
Maroš Šefčovič European Green Deal (executive vice president)
Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight
Dubravka Šuica Democracy and Demography (vice president)
Helena Dalli Equality


Commission departments

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Result of the election of the commission, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, 27 November 2019

Directorates-General

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Name Abbr. Commissioner
Agriculture and Rural Development AGRI Janusz Wojciechowski
Budget BUDG Johannes Hahn
Climate Action CLIMA Wopke Hoekstra
Communications Networks, Content and Technology CONNECT Thierry Breton
Communication COMM Ursula von der Leyen
Competition COMP Margrethe Vestager
Defence Industry and Space DEFIS Thierry Breton
Economic and Financial Affairs ECFIN Paolo Gentiloni
Education, Youth, Sport and Culture EAC Iliana Ivanova
Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion EMPL Nicolas Schmit
Energy ENER Kadri Simson
Environment ENV Virginijus Sinkevičius
European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations ECHO Janez Lenarčič
Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations NEAR Olivér Várhelyi
Eurostat - European statistics EUROSTAT Paolo Gentiloni
Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union FISMA Mairead McGuinness
Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority HERA Stella Kyriakides
Health and Food Safety SANTE Stella Kyriakides
Human Resources and Security HR Johannes Hahn
Informatics DIGIT Johannes Hahn
Internal Audit Service IAS Didier Reynders
Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs GROW Thierry Breton
International Partnerships INTPA Jutta Urpilainen
Interpretation SCIC Johannes Hahn
Joint Research Centre JRC Iliana Ivanova
Justice and Consumers JUST Didier Reynders
Helena Dalli
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries MARE Virginijus Sinkevičius
Migration and Home Affairs HOME Ylva Johansson
Mobility and Transport MOVE Adina Vălean
Regional and Urban Policy REGIO Elisa Ferreira
Structural Reform Support REFORM Elisa Ferreira
Research and Innovation RTD Iliana Ivanova
Taxation and Customs Union TAXUD Paolo Gentiloni
Trade TRADE Valdis Dombrovskis
Translation DGT Johannes Hahn

Executive agencies and service departments

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Executive agencies

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Executive agencies of the Von der Leyen Commission
Executive Agency Head
Name Abbr.
Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency EACEA Sophie Beernaerts (acting)
European Research Council Executive Agency ERCEA Laurence Moreau
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency EISMEA Jean-David Malo
Research Executive Agency REA Marc Tachelet
Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency CINEA Paloma Aba Garrote (acting)
Health and Digital Executive Agency HADEA Marina Zanchi

Service departments

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Service departments of the Von der Leyen Commission
Service department Head
Name Abbr.
Administration and Payment of Individual Entitlements PMO
Data Protection Officer DPO
European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF
European Personnel Selection Office EPSO
European Political Strategy Centre EPSC
Foreign Policy Instruments FPI
Historical Archives Service
Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels OIB
Infrastructure and Logistics in Luxembourg OIL
Innovation and Networks Executive Agency INEA
Internal Audit Service IAS
Legal Service SJ
Library and e-Resources Centre
Publications Office OP
Secretariat-General SG
Structural Reform Support Service SRSS
Taskforce on Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom

Brexit vacancy

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With the three month Brexit delay requested, the United Kingdom had not nominated any British commissioner. This was a unique event with no precedent in the history of the European Union. Von der Leyen had to formally request the British Government nominate an EU commissioner. She also asked the legal service if the commission could operate without a British commissioner. Some MEPs have suggested the possibility of a vote to allow the EU Commission to operate without a British commissioner.[91]

The United Kingdom left the European Union at 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020, so the position of British commissioner remained vacant until its automatic abolition when Brexit occurred.

Policy

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Geopolitical commission

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Von der Leyen, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and U.S. president Joe Biden at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow on 1 November 2021

From the outset of her mandate as President of the European Commission, von der Leyen stated her intention to have a "geopolitical commission".[92] French president Emmanuel Macron is the most important driving force behind the ambition of a geopolitical commission. His vision is that the EU must become a political and strategic player with one voice.[93] Critics have pointed out that by flying the geopolitical flag, von der Leyen has exposed the weaknesses of the EU as a whole in playing a decisive role at the high diplomatic table.[94]

Competitiveness

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Competitiveness and economic security emerged as key themes during Von der Leyen's first term. In 2023, she commissioned ex-ECB head Mario Draghi to write a report on enhancing the EU's competitiveness in the face of Chinese and US competition. The Draghi report was announced in VDL's State of the Union 2023 address and presented a year later in September 2024, during the formation phase of Von der Leyen's second term college of commissioners.[95]

COVID-19

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU passed the Next Generation EU package, worth 750 billion euros. Von der Leyen's Commission proposed the package on 27 May 2020.[96]

References

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