MENA Newswire News Desk: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has officially unveiled the new College of Commissioners, following extensive negotiations with EU member states. The announcement was made on September 17, 2024, in Brussels. The newly appointed team emphasizes prosperity, security, and democracy while focusing on tech sovereignty, industrial strategy, and climate action as key areas of improvement.
The College will feature six Executive Vice-Presidents, each overseeing critical portfolios. Teresa Ribera has been assigned to lead Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, while Henna Virkkunen will manage Tech-Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy. Stéphane Séjourné has taken responsibility for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, and Kaja Kallas will serve as High Representative and Vice-President. Roxana Mînzatu has been named as head of People, Skills, and Preparedness, with Raffaele Fitto taking charge of Cohesion and Reforms.
Further appointments include Maroš Šefčovič, who will lead Trade and Economic Security, and Valdis Dombrovskis, tasked with overseeing Economy and Productivity. Dubravka Šuica will focus on the Mediterranean region, while Olivér Várhelyi has been appointed to oversee Health and Animal Welfare. Wopke Hoekstra will manage Climate, Net Zero, and Clean Growth, and Andrius Kubilius will be responsible for Defence and Space.
The College will also feature Marta Kos as the Commissioner for Enlargement, Jozef Síkela for International Partnerships, and Costas Kadis overseeing Fisheries and Oceans. Maria Luís Albuquerque has been appointed to manage Financial Services, with Hadja Lahbib taking on the role of Preparedness and Crisis Management.
The College will continue with other notable figures, including Magnus Brunner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Jessika Roswall for Environment, Water Resilience, and Circular Economy, and Piotr Serafin overseeing Budget, Anti-Fraud, and Public Administration. Additionally, Dan Jørgensen will be responsible for Energy and Housing, while Ekaterina Zaharieva will focus on Research and Innovation.
Michael McGrath will handle Democracy, Justice, and Rule of Law, while Apostolos Tzitzikostas will lead the charge on Sustainable Transport and Tourism. Christophe Hansen will oversee Agriculture and Food, and Glenn Micallef has been appointed to the role of Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Culture, Youth, and Sport. This reshuffling aligns with von der Leyen’s broader vision for a competitive, secure, and sustainable Europe, reinforcing the EU’s focus on interconnected governance across all sectors.