Appointment of the College of European Commissioners (2024)

Summary:

Compilation of information resources focusing on the appointment of European Commissioners, following the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission.

Further information:

Upon presenting her Political Guidelines for a forthcoming mandate to the plenary session , Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission on 18 July 2024. In order to launch the process towards the appointment of her College of Commissioner, Ms von der Leyen sent a letter to 25 Member States of the European Union (EU) requesting that national governments nominated their candidates for Commissioner posts. Germany and Estonia were not part of this process as Ms von der Leyen herself is the German Commissioner, and Kaja Kallas is Estonia's pick following her nomination by the European Council as the EU's High-Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.

According to media outlets, the President of European Commission set a deadline until the end of August for EU countries to put forward their candidates. Ms von der Leyen also pushed for gender parity within the College of Commissioners, an objective seen as largely failing due to most national governments ignoring a request to put forward one man and one woman as candidates.

On 17 September, Ms von der Leyen put forward the list of Commissioners-designate and determined their portfolios, reflecting the ambitions set out in the Political Guidelines. These individuals were to appear in public hearings at the European Parliament, after which the College as a whole is approved in a single vote of consent by the Parliament's plenary. Such hearings started on 4 November.

Official

European Commission: Towards a new Commission (2024-2029) https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/towards-new-commission-2024-2029_en

European Commission: Press Release, 17/09/2024: Press statement by President von der Leyen on the next College of Commissioners https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_4723

Irish Government: Press Release, 17/09/2024: Statement from Taoiseach Simon Harris and European Commissioner-Designate, Michael McGrath https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/c9037-statement-from-taoiseach-simon-harris-and-european-commissioner-designate-michael-mcgrath/

Portuguese Government: News, 17/09/2024: Statement by the European Commission – Maria Luís Albuquerque https://www.portugal.gov.pt/en/gc24/communication/news-item?i=statement-by-the-european-commission-maria-luis-albuquerque

EUR-LEX: OJ L Series, 23/09/2024: Council Decision (EU) 2024/2517, taken by common accord with the President-elect of the Commission, adopting the list of the other persons whom the Council proposes for appointment as Members of the Commission http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2517/oj

European Parliament: Press Release, 02/10/2024: European Parliament hearings with Commissioners-designate to start on 4 November https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240930IPR24372/

European Parliament: Press Release, 10/10/2024: EP leaders adopt calendar for Commissioners-designate hearings https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20241004IPR24465/

Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 05/11/2024: Michael McGrath to become EU’s next guardian of the Rule of Law https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2024-11-05/michael-mcgrath-to-become-eus-next-guardian-of-the-rule-of-law

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News

LRT News, 26/06/2024: EPP president backs Lithuania’s Landsbergis for European commissioner https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2305840/epp-president-backs-lithuania-s-landsbergis-for-european-commissioner

EurActiv, 09/07/2024: EU centre-right aims for agriculture Commissioner, says party’s farming policy chief https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/the-european-peoples-party-aims-for-agriculture-commissioner-says-partys-farming-policy-chief/

EurActiv, 18/07/2024: Von der Leyen pitches new portfolio for Mediterranean, teases enlargement file split https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement-neighbourhood/news/von-der-leyen-pitches-new-portfolio-for-mediterranean-teases-enlargement-file-split/

The Irish Times, 19/07/2024: Returning Latvian commissioner may be seeking EU economy job https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2024/07/19/returning-latvian-commissioner-may-be-seeking-eu-economy-job/

The Brussels Times, 19/07/2024: The missing commissioner in von der Leyen's second Commission https://www.brusselstimes.com/1146438/the-missing-commissioner-in-von-der-leyens-second-commission

Politico, 24/07/2024: Greece must get an important role in the Commission, prime minister tells von der Leyen https://www.politico.eu/article/greece-role-eu-commission-pm-kyriakos-mitsotakis-ursula-von-der-leyen-top-job/

Euronews, 24/07/2024: Von der Leyen faces tough puzzle as conservatives demand big Commission portfolios https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/07/24/von-der-leyen-faces-tough-puzzle-as-conservatives-demand-big-commission-portfolios

The Irish Times, 25/07/2024: Ireland set to ignore von der Leyen’s request for two names for commission candidate https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/07/25/von-der-leyen-seeks-name-of-man-and-woman-for-european-commission-nominations/

Euronews, 25/07/2024: EU countries yet to obey von der Leyen’s demand for male and female Commissioner nominees https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/07/25/eu-countries-yet-to-obey-von-der-leyens-demand-for-male-and-female-commissioner-nominees

Politico, 25/07/2024: Von der Leyen writes to EU leaders asking for Commission nominees https://www.politico.eu/article/ursula-von-der-leyen-write-eu-leaders-asking-commission-nominees/

Times of Malta, 25/07/2024: PM's ex-chief of staff Glenn Micallef to be nominated for EU commissioner post https://timesofmalta.com/article/pm-exchief-staff-glenn-micallef-frontrunner-eu-commissioner-post.1095850

Cyprus Mail, 25/07/2024: Cyprus ‘interested’ in EU mediterranean commissioner role https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/07/25/cyprus-interested-in-eu-mediterranean-commissioner-role/

Radio Prague International, 25/07/2024: Government agrees on Síkela as new Czech EU Commissioner https://english.radio.cz/government-agrees-sikela-new-czech-eu-commissioner-8823874

EurActiv, 25/07/2024: Von der Leyen will face challenge to achieve gender balance in next Commission team https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-institutions/news/von-der-leyen-will-face-challenge-to-achieve-gender-balance-in-next-commission-team/

Euronews, 26/07/2024: Von der Leyen writes to EU leaders asking for Commission nominees https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/07/26/will-von-der-leyen-stick-by-the-green-deal-radio-schuman

Kathimerini, 01/08/2024: Greece nominates regional governor for EU Commissioner https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/1245315/greece-nominates-regional-governor-for-eu-commissioner/

LRT News, 19/08/2024: FM Landsbergis drops bid to become Lithuania’s next EU commissioner https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2341286/fm-landsbergis-drops-bid-to-become-lithuania-s-next-eu-commissioner

LRT News, 21/08/2024: Lithuanian government officially proposes Kubilius for EU commissioner https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2343860/lithuanian-government-officially-proposes-kubilius-for-eu-commissioner

Romania Insider, 22/08/2024: Romanian PM proposes Victor Negrescu for EU Commissioner role https://www.romania-insider.com/romanian-pm-proposal-eu-commissioner-august-2024

The Brussels Times, 23/08/2024: Belgium to become last EU Member State to nominate European Commissioner https://www.brusselstimes.com/1192256/belgium-to-become-last-eu-member-state-to-nominate-european-commissioner

Politico, 28/08/2024: Denmark nominates Dan Jørgensen as EU commissioner https://www.politico.eu/article/denmark-nomination-dan-jorgensen-eu-commissioner-von-der-leyen/

Reuters, 28/08/2024: Spain proposes Energy Minister Ribera for EU Commissioner post https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spain-proposes-energy-minister-ribera-eu-commissioner-post-2024-08-28/

Radio Bulgaria (BNT), 28/08/2024: Bulgaria's EU commissioner could get regional policy portfolio https://bnr.bg/en/post/102038804/bulgaria-s-eu-commissioner-could-get-regional-policy-portfolio

Euronews, 29/08/2024: Meet the new European Commission https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/29/meet-the-new-european-commission

EurActiv, 29/08/2024: The ins and outs of approving EU Commissioners https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-institutions/news/the-ins-and-outs-of-electing-eu-commissioners/

The Brussels Times, 29/08/2024: Belgium's next EU Commissioner under discussion among government negotiators https://www.brusselstimes.com/1201293/federal-government-negotiators-meeting-to-nominate-belgian-eu-commissioner-tbtb

Le Monde, 30/08/2024: New European Commission falls far short of von der Leyen's hoped-for gender parity https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/08/30/new-european-commission-falls-far-short-of-von-der-leyen-s-hoped-for-gender-parity_6723792_4.html

Atlantic Council: New Atlanticist Blog, 30/08/2024: Europe’s new defense commissioner: Game-changer or procurement manager? https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/europes-new-defense-commissioner-game-changer-or-procurement-manager/

EurActiv, 30/08/2024: Raffaele Fitto proposed as Italy’s new EU Commissioner https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/raffaele-fitto-proposed-as-italys-new-eu-commissioner/

RFI News, 30/08/2024: Push for gender equality stalls as men dominate nominations for EU commission https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20240830-push-for-gender-equality-stalls-as-men-dominate-nominations-for-eu-commission

Euronews, 30/08/2024: Ex-foreign minister Zaharieva and Popov to be Bulgaria’s two EU Commission picks https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/30/ex-foreign-minister-zaharieva-popov-to-be-bulgarias-two-eu-commission-picks-source

The Sofia Globe, 30/08/2024: Bulgaria’s caretaker government names candidates to be European Commissioner https://sofiaglobe.com/2024/08/30/bulgarias-caretaker-government-names-candidates-to-be-european-commissioner/

Euronews, 31/08/2024: Men dominate nominations for EU commission, as von der Leyen's push for gender equality fails https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/31/a-rundown-of-the-latest-nominations-for-eu-commission

Radio Prague International, 31/08/2024: Von der Leyen announces plans to appoint EU Defense Commissioner at Prague conference https://english.radio.cz/von-der-leyen-announces-plans-appoint-eu-defense-commissioner-prague-conference-8827244

Politico, 01/09/2024: Belgium misses EU commissioner deadline https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-misses-eu-commissioner-deadline/

Delano.lu, 01/09/2024: Names of next European commissioners (mostly) known https://delano.lu/article/names-of-next-european-commiss

Romania Insider, 02/09/2024: Romania defers EU commissioner nomination until being given satisfactory portfolio https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-defers-eu-commissioner-nomination-2024

France24, 16/09/2024: France's Breton resigns as EU commissioner in public clash with Ursula von der Leyen https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240916-france-s-breton-quits-eu-commission-in-reappointment-row

Deutsche Welle, 16/09/2024: French EU commissioner quits after clash with von der Leyen https://p.dw.com/p/4kefN

The Guardian, 16/09/2024: France’s European commissioner resigns amid row with von der Leyen https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/16/france-european-commissioner-thierry-breton-resigns-amid-row-with-von-der-leyen

EurActiv, 16/09/2024: Despite holdups, von der Leyen expected to unveil Commission jobs Tuesday https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/despite-holdups-von-der-leyen-expected-to-unveil-commission-jobs-tuesday/

BBC News, 17/09/2024: Ursula von der Leyen unveils new European Commission team https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7v63z8zdm6o

Politico, 17/09/2024: Ursula von der Leyen unveils her new European commissioners https://www.politico.eu/article/ursula-von-der-leyen-new-european-commissioners-live-updates/

EurActiv, 17/09/2024: Von der Leyen unveils EU Commission top jobs, with some surprises https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/von-der-leyen-unveils-eu-commission-top-jobs-with-some-surprises/

Euronews, 17/09/2024: Ursula von der Leyen unveils proposed team of European Commissioners https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/09/17/ursula-von-der-leyen-set-to-unveil-proposal-for-next-team-of-european-commissioners

The Guardian: Europe Liver, 17/09/2024: Ursula von der Leyen announces new European Commission lineup – as it happened https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/17/european-commission-ursula-von-der-leyen-new-commissioners-europe-latest-news

Le Monde, 17/09/2024: Von der Leyen unveils new EU leadership team https://www.lemonde.fr/en/europe/article/2024/09/17/von-der-leyen-unveils-new-eu-leadership-team_6726355_143.html

RTÉ News, 17/09/2024: Michael McGrath announced as new EU justice commissioner https://www.rte.ie/news/europe/2024/0917/1470385-eu-commission-portfolios/

Notes from Poland, 17/09/2024: Poland handed budget portfolio in new European Commission https://notesfrompoland.com/2024/09/17/poland-handed-budget-portfolio-in-new-european-commission/

Deutsche Welle, 17/09/2024: EU's von der Leyen unveils new European Commission https://p.dw.com/p/4khJt

The Guardian, 24/09/2024: Equality ‘downgrade’ in European Commission dismays rights groups https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/24/equality-downgrade-european-commission-rights-groups-ursula-von-der-leyen

Le Monde, 29/09/2024: Thierry Breton to Le Monde: 'France's voice is less powerful' in Europe https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/09/29/thierry-breton-to-le-monde-france-s-voice-is-less-powerful-in-europe_6727684_4.html

EurActiv, 01/10/2024: EU Parliament committee chiefs vie for Commission hearings control https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eu-parliament-committee-chiefs-vie-for-commission-hearings-control/

Euronews, 03/10/2024: European Parliament reveals format for Commissioner confirmation hearings https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/10/03/european-parliament-reveals-format-for-commissioner-confirmation-hearings

Cyprus Mail, 23/10/2024: Cyprus’ European Commission nominee outlines priorities ahead of hearing https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/10/23/cyprus-european-commission-nominee-outlines-priorities-ahead-of-hearing/

Politico: Topics: European commissioner hearings (2024) https://www.politico.eu/european-commissioner-hearings-2024/

Euronews, 05/11/2024: Commission nominee touts 'humane and legal' asylum return hubs during hearing https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/05/commission-nominee-touts-humane-and-legal-asylum-return-hubs-during-hearing

The Sofia Globe, 05/11/2024: Bulgarian European Commissioner-designate Zaharieva’s European Parliament hearing passes smoothly https://sofiaglobe.com/2024/11/05/bulgarian-european-commissioner-designate-zaharievas-european-parliament-hearing-passes-smoothly/

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Commentary and Analysis

EurActiv, 04/06/2024: Why the next European Commission’s enlargement portfolio could be its most wanted https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement-neighbourhood/news/why-the-next-european-commissions-enlargement-portfolio-could-be-its-most-wanted/

Politico, 24/07/2024: Who will be the next European commissioners? https://www.politico.eu/article/european-commissioners-ursula-von-der-leyen-eu-nationals-kaja-kallas-estonia-teresa-ribera/

Balkan Insight: Analysis, 29/07/2024: How to Win EU Commission Posts and Influence the President https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/29/how-to-win-eu-commission-posts-and-influence-the-president/

EUObserver: Opinion, 01/08/2024: How to make the EU’s defence commissioner work https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar1d10cde1

EUObserver: Infographic, 29/08/2024: Mapping the new EU Commission: a male-dominated team takes shape https://euobserver.com/eu-political/are82b0adf

Culture Action Europe: News, 13/09/2024: Next European Commissioner for Culture https://cultureactioneurope.org/news/next-european-commissioner-for-culture/

Politico, 17/09/2024: Meet the commissioners: Class of 2024 https://www.politico.eu/article/meet-european-commissioner-class-2024-ursula-von-der-leyen/

Euronews, 17/09/2024: Von der Leyen's team and their CVs: Meet the new European Commission https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/09/17/meet-the-new-european-commission

Corporate Europe Observatory, 17/09/2024: Revolving Doors & Far-Right Ties: Controversial Figures Among New EU Commission Nominees https://www.corporateeurope.org/en/2024/09/revolving-doors-far-right-ties-controversial-figures-among-new-eu-commission-nominees

SolarPower Europe: Press Release, 17/09/2024: The new EU Energy Commissioner-Designate https://www.solarpowereurope.org/press-releases/statement-the-new-eu-energy-commissioner-designate

Reuters, 17/09/2024: Who's who in top picks for European Commission https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/whos-who-top-picks-european-commission-2024-09-17/

Balkan Insight: Analysis, 17/09/2024: The New College of EU Commissioners: How Did Central and Southeast Europe Fare? https://balkaninsight.com/2024/09/17/the-new-college-of-eu-commissioners-how-did-central-and-southeast-europe-fare/

EUObserver: Opinion, 17/09/2024: Housing gets its due, with a first-ever EU commissioner — what next? https://euobserver.com/eu-political/ar0c7f03b3

European Council on Foreign Affairs (ECFR): Commentary, 17/09/2024: Quick off the bloc: Security challenges for the next European Commission https://ecfr.eu/article/quick-off-the-bloc-security-challenges-for-the-next-european-commission/

Housing Europe: Press Release, 18/09/2024: European Energy and Housing Commissioner must bring the social heart of housing to the surface https://www.housingeurope.eu/resource-1952/european-energy-and-housing-commissioner-must-bring-the-social-heart-of-housing-to-the-surface

E3G: Briefings, 25/09/2024: Strong climate action footholds in the incoming European Commission https://www.e3g.org/publications/strong-climate-action-footholds-in-the-incoming-european-commission/

Linklaters: Sustainable Futures Blog, 25/09/2024: New European Commission starts to take shape: list of Commissioners-designate and their missions https://sustainablefutures.linklaters.com/post/102jk5p/new-european-commission-starts-to-take-shape-list-of-commissioners-designate-and

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Commentary: Strategic Europe, 26/09/2024: Taking the Pulse: Is Having a European Commissioner for Defense a Mistake? https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2024/09/taking-the-pulse-is-having-a-european-commissioner-for-defense-a-mistake?lang=en

German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP): IP Quarterly, 26/09/2024: The European Defense Commissioner Is Here https://ip-quarterly.com/en/european-defense-commissioner-here

EUObserver: Opinion, 30/09/2024: Five questions for the new EU financial services commissioner https://euobserver.com/eu-political/ar52620921

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Blog, 15/10/2024: Parliament’s confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate https://epthinktank.eu/2024/10/15/parliaments-confirmation-hearings-of-the-commissioners-designate/

France24: Talking Europe, 01/11/2024: Crunch time for new European Commission: European Parliament grills candidates https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/talking-europe/20241101-crunch-time-for-new-european-commission-european-parliament-grills-candidates

Associated Press (AP News), 03/11/2024: Lawmakers are vetting the EU chief’s new team. It might be tough but she has the right on her side https://apnews.com/article/eu-commission-parliament-hearings-leyen-right-fitto-561e8c0abfb4f87c8740c4969984952a

EUObserver: Opinion, 04/11/2024: Five faults with the EU commissioner-designate grillings https://euobserver.com/eu-political/ar49601e4f

The Irish Times, 05/11/2024: Michael McGrath never looked under pressure in EU job hearing https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/11/05/analysis-mcgrath-never-looked-under-pressure-in-eu-job-hearing/

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS): Explainers, 05/11/2024: Confirmation hearings and voting in the new Commission: what is the European Parliament’s role? https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-publications/confirmation-hearings-and-voting-in-the-new-commission-what-is-the-european-parliaments-role/

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ESO Records

Aftermath of the European Parliament elections 2024 https://www.europeansources.info/record/aftermath-of-the-european-parliament-elections-2024/

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