In September, having made it through the final hurdles of horse-trading with European Union member states, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the lineup of College of Commissioners for her second mandate. Her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) secured the lion's share of positions, holding 15 out of 27 roles, including Von der Leyen’s presidency, which comes out as stronger and more empowered than five years ago.
Commissioners-designate are nominated by each EU member state, and Von der Leyen then assigns roles within her cabinet. Despite her efforts to reach gender parity, the current balance is 60:40 in favour of men. The cabinet would have been even more male dominated if not for Von der Leyen's offer to some EU capitals of a heftier portfolio in exchange for a female candidate.
In her proposed lineup, the Baltics are taking the lead on all foreign and defence-related aspects, sending a clear message to the Kremlin. Her native Germany aside, Von der Leyen has also brought representatives of the EU's three major powers – France, Italy and Spain – into her inner circle, with each slated to receive an executive vice-presidency, alongside Finland, Romania and Estonia. With deputy roles scrapped, the executive vice-presidents will co-ordinate the portfolios of fellow commissioners.
Von der Leyen’s new team is heavily focused on economics and many of its members hold fiscally conservative positions. In an attempt to simplify previous overlaps, each commissioner will oversee at least one directorate-general – a branch of the executive’s administrative structure highlighted in the square brackets below.
Assuming the commissioners-designate clear a financial interests check, each will face questioning by MEPs in hearings before relevant European Parliament committees. After that, the College as a whole must be approved by a plenary vote. Hearings are confirmed to start on 4 November, with the new Commission potentially sworn in by 1 December at the earliest.
It is not uncommon for the EP to shoot down at least one of the candidates as a show of strength. In 2019, MEPs vetoed three of them – one from each political family.
In her mission letters, Von der Leyen announced her proposed cabinet and identified key priorities for her prospective team. We had a first look.
Executive vice presidents
Teresa Ribera Rodríguez (Spain, S&D), Clean, Just and Competitive Transition [DG COMP]
The Green Deal, the EU’s net-zero climate plan, will remain a pillar of the EU’s growth strategy but will be joined by new priorities such as security and competitiveness, Von der Leyen has said. As the College's most prominent leftist politician, Ribera would hold overall responsibility for some of the green transition, continuing the job she held in Spain at the EU level. This will require her to work – and compromise – with centre-right colleagues tasked with climate and environment. To sweeten the deal, she would also take over from Margrethe Vestager as the EU’s next top antitrust and state-aid enforcer – one of the most coveted commissioner jobs.
Henna Virkkunen (Finland, EPP), Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy [DG CNECT, DIGIT]
Senior EU lawmaker Henna Virkkunen would serve as the EU’s digital czar, taking the lead on AI and other cutting-edge innovation such as supercomputing, the Internet of Things and genomics. Additionally, she would oversee the work of commissioners responsible for a thematical cluster that includes EU borders and democratic governance.
Stéphane Séjourné (France, Renew Europe), Prosperity and Industrial Strategy [DG GROW]
Paris can claim it (almost) got what it wanted by making a last-minute change when internal markets commissioner and Von der Leyen critic Thierry Breton resigned. Now, prospective French commissioner Séjourné looks set to take charge of a wide-ranging industrial and competitiveness portfolio overseeing all other economic dossiers, though it will not cover digital and defence, which is a setback for the country’s aspirations, and stops short of what Breton had for the past five years. Séjourné, who has served as France's foreign and EU affairs minister and leads the centrist Renaissance party, is a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, and a former chief of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament.
Roxana Mînzatu (Romania, S&D), People, Skills and Preparedness [DG EMPL, DG EAC]
This role would put Mînzatu in charge of the EU’s human capital and “those areas which are crucial to unite our society,” Von der Leyen said. However, Mînzatu’s fellow leftists have expressed concern that the rundown of the portfolio does not explicitly mention responsibility for jobs, social affairs and education. A former rookie minister at the national level and MEP, Mînzatu is relatively unknown in Brussels. She would lead efforts to establish a “new culture of preparedness” that, according to Von der Leyen, helps people adapt to change and the risks present in our society. For the latter, Mînzatu would work alongside Commissioner-designate Hadja Lahbib from Belgium.
Raffaele Fitto (Italy, ECR), Cohesion and Reforms [DG REGIO]
This is the first time a hard-right conservative has been awarded a major EU position without being part of the EU’s political majority. A former ECR chief in the European Parliament and a key ally of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Fitto would move from managing Italy's €194bn post-pandemic cash fund to ensuring that the entire EU Covid recovery plan reaches completion, in collaboration with Valdis Dombrovskis from Latvia. Fitto’s role would also involve steering the cohesion and regional funds budget, a second-ranking position that is generally considered politically uncontroversial.
Kaja Kallas (Estonia, Renew Europe), High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy [EEAS]
The former Prime Minister of Estonia is likely the EU’s next top diplomat. Taking over in an era of “geostrategic rivalries,” she will face challenges such as war, increased global tensions, a new arms race, and transatlantic uncertainty as the US presidential election approaches.
Commissioners
Valdis Dombrovskis (Latvia, EPP), Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification [DG ECFIN, EUROSTAT]
The former Latvian Prime Minister will once again assume the influential role of the bloc's economy chief. Known for his solid reputation as a fiscal hawk, Dombrovskis would be the main enforcer of the bloc’s economic governance and overseer of member states’ public spending. He would also serve as commissioner for bureaucratic simplification, reporting directly to Von der Leyen.
Maroš Šefčovič (Slovakia, S&D until his party, Smer, was expelled when the far right joined the national government), Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Affairs and Transparency [DG TRADE]
As a veteran of the bloc’s executive who lacks political backing in the European Parliament, Šefčovič has been offered two significant portfolios by Von der Leyen. Taking on economic security in addition to open trade relations, he will need to negotiate with partners and rivals such as the US, China and India. He will also continue leading post-Brexit relations with the United Kingdom.
Piotr Serafin (Poland, EPP), Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration [DG BUDG and others]
The current acting Polish ambassador to the EU is a Brussels insider, having previously served as chief of staff to Donald Tusk during the politician’s time as head of the European Council. Tusk, now the Polish PM, was an early supporter of Von der Leyen's second term. In return, he secured the influential budget portfolio for Serafin as the bloc prepares for a new seven-year financial framework (MFF), set to begin in 2028.
Maria Luís Albuquerque (Portugal, EPP), Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union [DG FISMA]
The former Portuguese finance minister and a long-time commissioner hopeful, Albuquerque is on track to tackle a nearly impossible mission: convincing the bloc’s members to better integrate their capital markets. This aims to channel more private assets towards funding the enormous investment needs of the green and digital transitions.
Wopke Hoekstra (The Netherlands, EPP) Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth; Taxation [DG CLIMA, DG TAXUD]
The Dutchman returns to the College as the main counterbalance to the new green czar, Teresa Ribera Rodríguez. His presence would aim to fulfil an EPP pledge made ahead of June EP elections stating that the green transition should serve as the bloc’s industrial growth plan. A fiscal hawk, Hoekstra would also get the keys to EU taxation machinery, which typically requires unanimity among EU member states.
Jessika Roswall (Sweden, EPP) Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy [DG ENV]
The former Swedish EU affairs minister looks set to be the new “nature boss”, helping to bring the Green Deal to life through “incentives, investment, and effective, simple implementation,” according to Von der Leyen. Her phrasing is another sign of the EPP's pro-business dominance within the Commission. For the first time, this role will also address water efficiency, scarcity and pollution.
Costas Kadis (Cyprus, EPP), Fisheries and Oceans [DG MARE]
A biologist by training and a former minister at home, Kadis would take up a responsibility that returns for the new mandate as an independent portfolio. Kadis will oversee fishing quota management, aquaculture and the blue economy. The portfolio is also responsible for developing the EU's first European Oceans Plan.
Michael McGrath (Ireland, Renew Europe), Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law [DG JUST]
The outgoing Irish finance minister will have his finger on the EU budget from November, since member states’ access to EU funds is dependent on respect for democratic standards, judicial independence, media freedom, and institutional checks and balances. In other words, prepare for clashes with Hungary. McGrath would also have oversight on disinformation, safeguarding electoral integrity, and protecting citizens’ data and consumer rights.
Magnus Brunner (Austria, EPP), Internal Affairs and Migration [DG HOME]
Known in European circles as a fiscal hawk, Brunner may soon be tested in the most sensitive policy area outside economics: migration. The Austrian politician is set to take on the role overseeing migration just as the far-right Freedom Party secured victory in national elections in his home country. Vienna has an outspoken record on migration and border security, having blocked the full participation of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Area. The country has also faced legal condemnation by the European Court of Justice for extending border checks.
Dubravka Šuica (Croatia, EPP), Mediterranean [future DG MED]
Šuica would take on a brand-new portfolio, tasked with reaching out to countries around the Mediterranean and the EU's “southern neighbourhood.” The role entails developing ties in trade, energy, investments and reining in irregular migration. Šuica will have a brand-new administrative branch at her service.
Andrius Kubilius (Lithuania, EPP) Defence and Space [DG DEFIS]
After serving as prime minister of Lithuania twice, Kubilius solidified his reputation as a Russian hawk in the European Parliament. He will be the first-ever EU defence and space commissioner, tasked with stepping up production capacity of the bloc's military-industrial complex and expanding joint procurement of military equipment. He will also oversee major projects such as the planned European Sky Shield, which is intended to function similarly to Israel’s Iron Dome.
Marta Kos (Slovenia, Renew Europe), Enlargement [DG NEAR]
Former diplomat Kos would take the reins of accession negotiations at a time when the EU has renewed its push for enlargement. Many of the EU candidate countries hail from the politician’s home Balkan region. Kos would also be responsible for the reconstruction of Ukraine and relations with the South Caucasus and Turkey. With the EPP unconvinced about her profile, she is seen as one of the candidates most at risk during the parliamentary hearings.
Jozef Síkela (Czech Republic, EPP) International Partnership [DG INTPA]
A former Czech energy minister who said he convened “as many Council meetings as necessary” when his country held the rotating presidency at the peak of the energy crisis in 2022, Síkela was in the running for several roles in the College. Von der Leyen opted to give him international partnerships, as it encompassed aspects of other portfolios he was considered for. If all goes as planned in the hearings and plenary vote, Síkela will serve as the main contact point for Global Gateway, the €300bn investment programme for foreign development aid.
Dan Jørgensen (Denmark, S&D), Energy and Housing [DG ENER]
In Jørgensen, EP socialists hope to secure a commissioner focused on housing for the first time, although Von der Leyen’s decision to formally move the responsibility away from a social affairs portfolio to one combining housing with energy will refocus the role on fighting fuel poverty. As Denmark’s climate minister, Jørgensen was not known for his pro-nuclear views, but this new role includes the development and deployment of small modular reactors in the bloc.
Hadja Lahbib (Belgium, Renew Europe), Preparedness and Crisis Management; Equality [DG ECHO]
A former TV journalist, the outgoing Belgian minister for EU and foreign affairs consolidated her international profile during her country’s rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of this year. However, this did not translate into a major Commission role. Instead, Lahbib looks set to oversee relatively minor policy areas such as humanitarian aid and civil protection. She will also steer equality issues, which covers LGBTIQ, gender, anti-racism and disability strategies.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Greece, EPP), Sustainable Transport and Tourism [DG MOVE]
The governor of the central Macedonian region in Greece is a prominent figure within his country’s centre-right camp and has a solid EU-wide reputation, having served as president of the European Committees of the Regions between 2020 and 2022. Among his brand-new touristic tasks, Tzitzikostas will work on a single digital ticketing platform for passengers across transport modes.
Christophe Hansen (Luxembourg, EPP) Agriculture and Food [DG AGRI]
Coming from one of the smallest EU member states with limited arable land, current MEP Hansen will have to rebuild trust with farmers after months of angry tractor protests. His focus will be ensuring sufficient income for farmers and protection against unfair trade practices, as well as upholding the biggest share of the EU’s budget, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Part of the economic security agenda, Hansen will also deal with food sovereignty, boosting diversity and reducing imports of critical commodities.
Olivér Várhelyi (Hungary, Patriots for Europe), Health and Animal Welfare [DG SANTE]
An ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Várhelyi has been reassigned from his current role overseeing the Enlargement and Neighbourhood portfolio to a responsibility that nobody seemed to want: health. The title has been revised to explicitly include animal welfare, while most food policy tasks have shifted across to the agriculture portfolio. Having previously been caught on a hot mic calling MEPs “idiots,” his parliamentary hearing promises to be an event not to miss.
Ekaterina Zaharieva (Bulgaria, EPP), Startups, Research and Innovation [DG RTD]
A former foreign affairs minister, Zaharieva will inherit the research and innovation sections of a portfolio previously headed up by her fellow countrywoman, including the hefty Horizon Europe funding scheme. Other parts of the portfolio, namely education and culture, have been dispersed to other colleagues.
Glenn Micallef (Malta, S&D) Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport [DG EAC]
At 35, Micallef is the youngest of the commissioners-designate and the only one without prior experience in a senior government role. The former chief of staff to Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela is set to take on one of the lightest portfolios. Nonetheless, it will commit him to work on “areas that are close to EU citizens’ daily lives.”