Van der Leyen, here’s the new commission: reserves, representatives (and the only one that can compete with it for attention)

From our correspondent
Strasbourg – New European Commission Led by Ursula van der Leyen took shape after long negotiations and twists and turns It highlighted each other’s weaknesses: those of the member states (France eventually capitulated), of the political groups (the Socialists were reduced) but also of the president (the governments were pushing for an intergovernmental approach on the documents). van der Leyen I was able to compose music A team can’t cover her (The Spanish Teresa Ribera, a socialist, could however compete with her for attention). The new commission is a balancing act, trying to appease the capitals and groups that backed van der Leyen to encore.

Let’s go in order. There are six Executive Vice Presidents, four of whom are women. Rafael Fito, responsible for integration and reforms, has been confirmed as executive vice president. Italian Commissioner Pnrr will also manage funds Valdis, along with the Dombrowskis, will not be vice-presidents, but will hold economy and productivity instead of simplification. Fito will also help lead work to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the agri-food sector. Controversy did not end. Iratxe Garcìa Pèrez, president of the S&D group, reiterated that “having the post of ECR ​​executive vice-president is a political problem” but that the Socialists will act “responsibly”. The Greens are “not happy” and are preparing for a hearing. Also Liberals “regret” Choice and promise of “maximum vigilance” in parliamentary commissions. President van der Leyen said Fito would be entrusted with “the same coordination and reform portfolio as the current mandate” and added that “in general every decision is collective law: an individual commissioner does not decide on every topic and every distribution”.

Van der Leyen therefore offered vice-presidential positions following a geographical criterion. Recognizes significant weighting for large countries (France, Italy and Spain) but also for smaller countries in Northern and Eastern Europe. Then he gave gifts to the womenAs he himself explained at the press conference: “Today there are 11 women in the college I proposed. This is 40 percent. When I received the first round of nominations and candidates, we had 22 percent women and 78 percent men. This is unacceptable,” he said. “So I am with the member states. Worked and managed to improve the balance, bringing it to 40 per cent women and 60 per cent men. For this reason I have appointed six executive vice-presidents, four women and two men.”

Six vice presidents respond to political priorities Revolving around “Prosperity, Security, Democracy” and “Competitiveness,” the commission was founded: “The entire college is committed to competitiveness.” “Recommended” by the Draghi ReportThis was underlined by President Van der Leyen, who presented the portfolio for financial services and savings and investment union to Portuguese Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque (PPE).

The EPP has 14 commissioners and the president and portfolios are considered important For the next challenges and political priorities. The Liberals have five (with Breton’s super portfolio of French séjours without temper) and the Socialists four (Spanish Ribera integrates change with Vestager’s EU antitrust). But if Spanish Vice President Ribera “leads the task of ensuring that Europe remains on track to achieve the goals set out in the Green Deal”, This is the Dutch hawk of EPP Wopke Hoekstra, who is the climate commissionerContinues work on net zero and clean development, implementation and adaptation, climate diplomacy and decarbonisation (already in this commission). Hoekstra is also responsible for taxation.

Austrian The EPP’s Magnus Brunner will be Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration and implementation responsibility Convention on Asylum But strengthening EU borders and creating a new internal security strategy. Austria goes to the polls at the end of the month and is expecting a major boost from the far right.

Polish Pyotr SerafinLoyal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, He will be the Budget CommissionerThe president explained that he would respond “directly” to the fight against fraud and public administration and van der Leyen. His task is to prepare the next long-term budgetThis is one of the most delicate political games, as austerity countries, Germany and the Netherlands at the forefront, are reluctant to open their wallets, but to finance twin reforms and common security, huge funds are needed (Draggi estimates that roughly 750-800 billion euros are needed per year). The Socialists got the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, which was assigned to Dan Jorgensen from Denmark..