European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her new top team after weeks of political negotiations. The new commission, facing challenges from Russia, the US, and China, aims to strengthen tech sovereignty, security, and democracy in the EU.
Key appointments include French candidate Stephane Sejourne as executive vice president for industrial strategy and Spain’s Teresa Ribera as executive vice president for overseeing the bloc’s economic transition to carbon neutrality. Former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius was named the new commissioner for defense.
Despite efforts to achieve gender balance, von der Leyen faced criticism for ending up with only 40% women in the new team. Italy’s Raffaele Fitto stirred controversy with his cohesion brief, reflecting far-right gains in the EU Parliament elections.
The lineup reflects Brussels’ vision for the EU’s future direction, but all nominees must gain approval from the European Parliament. Hearings are set to begin soon, with a target to have the new commission in place by November 1.
Controversial Italian pick
Among the six powerful commission vice presidents is Italy’s Raffaele Fitto, handed a cohesion brief in a nod to gains made by far-right parties in the June elections.
The prospect of giving a top role to a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s post-fascist Brothers of Italy a top job has raised heckles among centrist and leftist groups.
After losses by Green parties at the June ballot, defending the environment had skidded down the list of priorities in Brussels and how the various aspects of environmental policy were split between commissioners was a subject of particular scrutiny.
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