The formation of the new team of European Commissioners under Ursula von der Leyen has been delayed until next week, as confirmed by parliamentary sources. Originally scheduled to meet with the chairs of the European Parliament’s political factions on Wednesday, von der Leyen will no longer be attending that meeting, indicating a potential longer process in appointing the Commissioners. The delay is partly attributed to Slovenia’s last-minute change in its nominee to former diplomat Marta Kos, which needs to be ratified by the country’s parliament. Von der Leyen had pushed for gender parity in her new team, lobbying for male nominees to be replaced with women.
The meeting scheduled for Wednesday was intended to be an “exchange of views” on the progress of setting up the new college of Commissioners, rather than a definitive proposal of the team structure. Von der Leyen is expected to unveil her team and their roles during next week’s European Parliament’s plenary sitting in Strasbourg. All nominated candidates will undergo questioning in parliamentary committees and must survive a confirmation vote before being formally appointed. The delay in the formation of the new team suggests possible complexities in the process, with unforeseen changes to nominees adding to the length of the appointment process.
The new team of 26 European Commissioners will play a crucial role in steering the work of the EU’s powerful executive for the next five years. Von der Leyen’s emphasis on gender parity in her team reflects a broader push for greater diversity and representation in EU institutions. The last-minute change in Slovenia’s nominee underscores the fluid nature of the appointment process, with national politics and parliamentary ratification adding layers of complexity to the formation of the college of Commissioners. The upcoming parliamentary committees’ questioning and confirmation vote will further test the nominees’ suitability for the roles they have been proposed for.
The delay in the presentation of the new team highlights the challenges faced by von der Leyen in assembling a diverse and capable team of Commissioners. The unexpected change in Slovenia’s nominee underscores the importance of national politics in the appointment process, with ratification by the country’s parliament necessary for the nominee to take up the role. Von der Leyen’s efforts to ensure gender parity in her team have added a unique dimension to the appointment process, with a push for greater representation of women at the highest levels of EU decision-making. The upcoming unveiling of the team during the European Parliament’s plenary sitting will provide further insight into the composition and roles of the new college of Commissioners.
Overall, the delay in the formation of the new team of European Commissioners signals potential complexities in the appointment process, with unforeseen changes to nominees and national politics playing key roles in shaping the composition of the college. Von der Leyen’s commitment to gender parity and diversity in her team reflects broader efforts to promote inclusivity and representation in EU institutions. The upcoming parliamentary committees’ questioning and confirmation vote will provide a critical assessment of the nominated candidates’ suitability for their proposed roles. The unveiling of the team next week will offer a clearer picture of the structure and responsibilities of the new college of Commissioners, marking a significant step in shaping the future direction of the EU’s powerful executive.
