17 Sep 2024
President von der Leyen presents new College of Commissioners
On 17 September 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the planned structure and composition of the next College of Commissioners to the Conference of Presidents of the political groups in the European Parliament. In her speech, the President explained that the structure of portfolios follows core priorities. They are built around prosperity, security, democracy, and they are very much intertwined and cross-cutting, she said. The backdrop would be competitiveness in the twin transition.
The proposed College comprises six Vice-Presidents, including Henna Virkkunen (FI) who will be the Executive Vice-President for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. She will also be responsible for the portfolio on digital and frontier technologies. "I will ask Henna to look at the internal and external aspects of security. But also to strengthen the foundations of our democracy, such as the rule of law, and protect it wherever it comes under attack", the President said.
Ekaterina Zaharieva (BG) will be Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation. President von der Leyen underlined that "We must put research and innovation, science and technology at the centre of our economy. She will help ensure that we invest more and focus our spending on strategic priorities and on groundbreaking innovation". The President's Mission Letter to Ms Zaharieva can be downloaded here.
The portfolio of the Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné (FR), stipulates that he will develop a ‘European Competitiveness Fund’ to ensure investment in innovation and technology.
Education is covered by the portfolio of Roxana Mînzatu (RO), Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness.
FP10 is not mentioned in the mission letters.
As a next step, hearings with the proposed new Commissioners will be held at the European Parliament, probably from mid-October.
President von der Leyen on the next College of Commissioners (europa.eu)
Science|Business article: Ekaterina Zaharieva announced as new research commissioner