European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen defied reluctance from many member states by appointing women to top roles in her new team for the next five years. With only two men in the top echelon, von der Leyen named four women as vice presidents, including Kaja Kallas as foreign policy chief.
Von der Leyen also selected Spanish Socialist Teresa Ribera to lead the green transition and Finland’s Henna Virkkunen for rule of law and digital leadership. The appointments, which veer ideologically right, still await confirmation.
Controversy surrounds the appointment of Raffaele Fitto of Italy’s hard-right party as an executive vice president. French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne was given the industrial portfolio after Thierry Breton’s resignation. Von der Leyen faced challenges achieving gender parity in the team, despite pushing for more female candidates.
The new Commission, responsible for proposing legislation and ensuring EU rules are upheld, is set to begin work on Nov. 1, but delays are expected.
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