The Von Der Leyen Commission: an Overview

Briefing November 2019

The von der Leyen Commission: an overview

This note provides an overview of this new Commission, which will operate until November 2024. It covers the composition of the von der Leyen team, their political affiliations, the political programme, and some of the changes in structure and modus operandi. It then goes into more detail on the Commissioners of relevance for EuroCommerce and the retail and wholesale sector. The Commission is expected to start working on December 1.

The Commission’s team

The Commission is made up as follows:

Ursula von der Leyen (DE, EPP): President

3 Executive Vice-Presidents Frans Timmermans (NL, S&D): Executive Vice-President - European Green Deal & Climate Action Margrethe Vestager (DK, Renew Europe): Executive Vice-President Europe Fit For the Digital Age & Competition Valdis Dombrovskis (LV, EPP): Executive Vice-President for an Economy That Works For People & Financial Services

5 Vice-Presidents Věra Jourová (CZ, Renew Europe): Vice-President Values and Transparency Dubravka Šuica (HR, EPP): Vice-President Democracy and Demography Margaritis Schinas (EL, EPP): Vice-President Promoting Our European Way of Life Maroš Šefčovič (SK, S&D): Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Josep Borrell (ES, S&D): High-Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

18 Commissioners Johannes Hahn (AT, EPP): Budget and Administration Didier Reynders (BE, Renew Europe): Justice Mariya Gabriel (BG, EPP): Innovation and Youth Stella Kyriakides (CY, EPP): Health Kadri Simson (EE, Renew Europe): Energy Jutta Urpilainen (FI, S&D): International Partnerships Thierry Breton (FR, Renew Europe): Internal Market (also defence and space) Olivér Várhelyi (HU, EPP): Neighbourhood and Enlargement Phil Hogan (EI, EPP): Trade Paolo Gentiloni (IT, S&D): Economy Virginijus Sinkevičius (LT, Greens/EFA): Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Nicolas Schmit (LU, S&D): Jobs and Social Rights Helena Dalli (MT, S&D): Equality Janusz Wojciechowski (PL, ECR): Agriculture Elisa Ferreira (PT, S&D): Cohesion and Reforms

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Adina-Ioana Vălean (RO, EPP): Transport Janez Lenarčič (SI, Renew Europe): Crisis Management Ylva Johansson (SE, S&D): Home Affairs

In terms of experience, the von der Leyen Commission has a large number of political heavy- weights, including:

2 former Prime Ministers; 8 former Ministers; 1 former CEO; 3 former diplomats and foreign affairs ministers; 8 incumbent Commissioners; 6 former MEPs.

Although some Commissioners have no experience in the portfolio they have been assigned, their general level of experience in policy is high. See section “Relevant Commissioners for EuroCommerce” for more details on the priority Commissioners for EuroCommerce.

Political Affiliation And Legitimacy

In terms of political affiliation, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) has the largest representation in the new Commission with, 9 Commissioners plus its President, thus outnumbering the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) (9) and Renew Europe (6). The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) have only one Commissioner, the Polish Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, as do the Greens. Compared to the previous Commission (14 EPP commissioners vs. 8 S&D), the von der Leyen Commission thus strikes a better balance between the various political groups.

Among the Executive VPs, one of them comes from the S&D Group, Frans Timmermans, one from Renew Europe (Margrethe Vestager) and one from EPP (Valdis Dombrovskis). Dombrovskis’ appointment as EVP caused some upset among other parties, given von der leyen’s affiliation with the EPP. Among the 5 other VPs, two of them are EPP (Dubravka Šuica and Margaritis Schinas), two are S&D (Maroš Šefčovič and Josep Borrell) and one Renew Europe (Věra Jourová).

After having conducted individual hearings and rejected several candidates (Hungarian, French and Romanian ones), the European Parliament is set to elect the Commission on the 27th of November.

Political programme

On 16 July, EPP’s Ursula von der Leyen confirmed by the European Parliament as the next President of the European Commission. Her Political Guidelines for the next Commission focus on six headline ambitions and they are listed below.

1. A European Green Deal

 Creation of the first European Climate Law to enshrine the 2050 climate-neutrality targets.  Becoming a world leader in circular economy and clean technologies - a New Circular Economy Action Plan.  European Climate Pact – to commit to a set of pledges to bring about changes in behaviour, from individuals to multinationals.  The Sustainable Europe Investment Plan will support €1 trillion of investment over the next decade in every corner of the EU.  Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 will be proposed.

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 A new “Farm to Fork Strategy” on sustainable food along the whole value chain.  Single-use plastics issue will be addressed.

2. An economy that works for people

 The Commission will put forward a dedicated SME strategy to ensure they can thrive by reducing red tape and improving their access to the market.  It will prioritise the further deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union.  Full use of the flexibility allowed within the Stability and Growth Pact.  Will refocus the European Semester into an instrument that integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  Will put forward an action plan to fully implement the European Pillar of Social Rights.  In the first 100 days, it will propose a legal instrument to ensure that every worker in our Union has a fair minimum wage.  It will look at ways of improving the labour conditions of platform workers, notably by focusing on skills and education.  It will turn the Youth Guarantee into a permanent instrument to fight youth unemployment.  The new Commission will stand for tax fairness – whether for bricks-and-mortar or digital businesses, prioritising the taxation of big tech companies.

3. A Europe fit for the digital age

 It will put forward legislation for a coordinated European approach on the human and ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence.  A new Digital Services Act.  Will update the Digital Education Action Plan.

4. Protecting our European way of life

 An additional comprehensive European Rule of Law Mechanism, with an EU-wide scope and 15 objective annual reporting by the European Commission.  Will stand by the proposal to make the rule of law an integral part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework.  It will equip the Customs Union with a stronger framework that will allow for a better protection of the EU citizens and the single market.

5. A stronger Europe in the world

 Strong, open and fair trade agenda.  Will ensure that every new agreement concluded will have a dedicated sustainable-development chapter and the highest standards of climate, environmental and labour protection, with a zero- tolerance policy on child labour. Will seek to swiftly conclude ongoing negotiations with Australia and New Zealand and to strengthen a balanced and mutually beneficial trading partnership with the United States.  Will push for a reform of the World Trade Organization.

6. A new push for European democracy

 Strengthen the partnership between the European Commission and the European Parliament.  Proposes to move towards full co-decision power for the European Parliament and away from unanimity for climate, energy, social and taxation policies.

 Also suggests improvements in the system used to appoint and elect leaders for the EU institutions.  Will work together with the European Parliament and the Council to bring more transparency throughout the legislative process.

A detailed Annual Work Programme is expected to be released mid-February.

Structure and modus operandi

In terms of its structure, the Von der Leyen Commission shifts from a set of seven Vice-Presidents and 20 Commissioners under Juncker to a three-tier Commission.

Three Executive Vice-Presidents (Dombrovskis, Vestager and Timmermans): they will have a double function, on one hand responsible for one of the President’s three core policy priorities, and a standard Commissioner portfolio, supported by DG FISMA, DG COMP and DG CLIMA.

Five Vice-Presidents (Borrell, Šefčovič, Jourová, Šuica and Schinas): steering the Commission’s work, coordinating that of other Commissioners (without the support of a specific DG), institutional reform.

18 Commissioners: responsible for one or more Commission DGs.

President von der Leyen focused on restructuring various Commissioners’ competences to fit the new Commission’s policy-making priorities.

In terms of allocation of portfolios and supporting services, there are several changes:

DG COMP/DG AGRI/DG MARE Unit AGRI.I.2 (State Aid) moves from DG AGRI to DG COMP. The relevant part of Unit MARE.E.4 (Legal Affairs), dealing with state aid moves from DG MARE to DG COMP.

DG ECFIN Directorate ECFIN.L, Treasury and financial operations, moves from DG ECFIN to DG BUDG, with the exception of the team working on EMU-deepening, which remains in DG ECFIN.

DG GROW The relevant part of Unit GROW.D.3 (Biotechnology and Food Supply Chain), dealing with pharmaceuticals, moves from DG GROW to DG SANTE. The relevant part of Unit GROW.D.4 (Health Technology and Cosmetics), dealing with medical devices, moves from DG GROW to DG SANTE.

DG SANTE The relevant part of Unit GROW.D.3 (Biotechnology and Food Supply Chain), dealing with pharmaceuticals, moves from DG GROW to DG SANTE. The relevant part of Unit GROW.D.4 (Health Technology and Cosmetics), dealing with medical devices, moves from DG GROW to DG SANTE.

Relevant Commissioners for EuroCommerce

This new Commission brings together a host of personalities whose decisions will have a significant impact on our work. Here are some more details about the priority Commission for EuroCommerce’s work.

The priority Commissioners are the President, the 3 Executive Vice-Presidents (Timmermans; Vestager and Dombrovskis), a group of top 10 Commissioners which are crucial on a number of

issues (Hogan, Schmit, Gentiloni, Wojciechowski, Kyriakides, Reunders, Breton, Šefčovič, Sinkevičius and Jourová) and a “tier-2” group of Commissioners, whose relevance is more remote or specific to one issue or certain members (Gabriel, Borrell, Vălean, Schinas, Simson, Šuica). Some 6 Commissioners are not relevant for EuroCommerce (Hahn, Ferreira, Dalli, Johansson, Lenarčič, Urpilainen).

Ursula von der Leyen (DE) - President

First female Commission President Longest serving minister in Angela Merkel’s Governments Former defence minister Former minister of labour and social affairs Licensed physician and was born in Brussels

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Role: Heads the European Commission, i.e. decides on the organisation of the Commission, determines the Commission's policy agenda, defending the general European interest, chairs Commission meetings. Represents Commission in Council meetings, G8 and G20 Summits, bilateral summits in third countries, in major debates in the Parliament and Council.

Relevance for EuroCommerce  The most important of the top 3 EU politicians  Heads the whole Commission, needed in case of arbitrage  Driving agenda to climate change, democracy and a fair social market economy.

Frans Timmermans (NL) - Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal & Climate Action

Former Commission VP – Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of European Affairs

Political Party: Socialists & Democrats (S&D)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Expected to propose the first European Climate Law within the first 100 days of the Commission, including the pending net-zero 2050 emissions target.  Will coordinate work on circular economy, as well as the new “Farm to Fork” strategy for sustainable foods.  Will propose a new European Climate Pact – pledges to change behaviours across society.

Margrethe Vestager (DK) - Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit For the Digital Age & Competition

Former European Commissioner for Competition Former Minister for Economic Affairs and Interior Former Minister for Education

Political Party: Renew Europe

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will co-lead the work on a new SME strategy, together with the Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People.  Expected to propose a European approach on artificial intelligence in the first 100 days of the Commission.  Will coordinate the Digital Services Act and Digital Taxation.  Will focus on strengthening competition enforcement in all sectors.  Will evaluate and review Europe’s competition rules.

Valdis Dombrovskis (LV) - Executive Vice-President for an Economy That Works For People & Financial Services

Former Commissioner – VP Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union; Former MEP; Former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will coordinate the work on the action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights.  Expected to prioritise the relationship with the social partners and lead the work on strengthening the role of social dialogue.  Will co-lead the SME strategy, to help improve its access to finance.  Expected to pay particular attention to our trade and economic relations with our competitors and strategic partners.

Věra Jourová (CZ) - Vice-President Values and Transparency

Former Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Former Minister for Regional Development Worked as a consultant in EU funds.

Political Party: Renew Europe

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will work with the other institutions to bring more transparency to the legislative process and lead the negotiations on behalf of the Commission for a Transparency Register for the Parliament, Council and Commission.  Will coordinate the Commission’s work on upholding the rule of law, working closely with the Commissioner for Justice.  Her new portfolio may see her clash with Member States such as Hungary or Poland

Dubravka Šuica (HR): Vice-President Democracy and Demography

Former MEP (ENVI, TRAN) Former Mayor of Dubvrovnik Taught English and German in Croatia

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will coordinate the work on a long-term vision for rural areas.  Will present a Green Paper on ageing. Also, As part of the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Commissioner will coordinate the work on better reconciling work and family and supporting people throughout their careers.

Margaritis Schinas (EL): Vice-President Promoting Our European Way of Life

Former Chief Commission Spokesperson Former MEP (ECON) Has experience working in the Commission on consumer protection, health, transport, energy and relations with the European Parliament

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Expected to draw upon the contribution of the Commissioner for Jobs to identify and fill skills shortages and support reskilling as part of the just transition.  Will coordinate the work on an ambitious education agenda, focusing on making education more accessible and inclusive, on lifelong learning.  Expected to focus on creating pathways to legal migration to help bring in people with the skills and talents our economy and labour market need.

Maroš Šefčovič (SK) - Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight

Former Commission VP for Energy Union and Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Former Ambassador of Slovakia in Israel and Slovak Permanent Representative to the EU Ran for presidential elections in Slovakia earlier this year

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will coordinate the Commission’s work on better regulation and ensure that Commission proposals respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.  Expected to help alleviate the regulatory burden for people and for business, by developing and applying the new ‘One In, One Out’ principle.  Will chair the REFIT Platform, bringing together representatives from the Member States and other stakeholders to look at how to improve existing EU legislation.

Didier Reynders (BE) - Commissioner for Justice

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Former Finance Minister Former chairman of Eurogroup and president of Ecofin Former Deputy Prime Minister

Political Party: Renew Europe

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will lead the work on consumer protection, notably for cross-border and online transactions. Expected find new ways of empowering consumers to make informed choices and play an active role in the green and digital transitions.  Expected to ensure the full implementation and enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation and promote the European approach as a global model.  Also expected to contribute to the legislation on a coordinated approach on the human and ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

Mariya Gabriel (BG) - Commissioner for Innovation and Youth

Former Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Former MEP (LIBE, AGRI) Won the MEP of the year price twice Taught at Sciences-Po Bordeaux

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Expected to focus on digital literacy and education to close the digital skills gap. You should lead on the updating of the Digital Education Action Plan.  Also expected to ensure sufficient investment flows to disruptive research and breakthrough innovations, notably through the European Innovation Council. To stay competitive globally, innovators should be better supported to bring their ideas to the market.

Stella Kyriakides (CY) - Commissioner for Health

Former Member of the Cyprus House of Representatives Former VP of the Democratic Rally Party Former VP of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly Trained child psychologist

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Expected to focus on the full implementation of the European One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance and to help protect citizens from exposure to endocrine disruptors.  Lead on a new ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy for sustainable food.  Will focus on improving consumer information, by looking at ways to address demands for more visible and complete information, especially on the health and sustainability of food products.  Will ensure the enforcement of animal welfare legislation, review our current strategy and promote European standards globally.  Also, expected to focus on the implementation and enforcement of the extensive legislation in the areas of food safety and animal and plant health.  Will develop a strategy with concrete measures against food fraud, drawing on the work of the European Anti-Fraud Office in this area.

Kadri Simson (EE): Commissioner for Energy

Former Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Former Chairman of the Estonian Centre Party Former leader of the Estonian NATO Parliamentary Assembly Delegation

Political Party: Renew Europe

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will focus on the rapid implementation of energy-efficiency and renewable-energy legislation.  Should ensure Europe follows the energy-efficiency-first principle across the board.

Thierry Breton (FR): Commissioner for Internal Market

Former chairman and CEO of the IT company Atos Former vice-chairman and CEO of Groupe Bull, Thomson-RCA and France Telecom (now Orange) Former Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Former Professor at Harvard Business School Named one of the “100 best performing CEOs in the world” in 2010 and 2017- by Harvard Business Review

Political Party: Renew Europe

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will lead the work on a coordinated European approach on artificial intelligence and on the new Digital Services Act.  Will focus on building a real single market for cybersecurity.  Ensure that the new Circular Economy Action Plan feeds into to the overall industrial strategy.  Contribute to the new SME strategy to help them scale up and expand, including through improved access to finance. Appoint a Commission SME Envoy.  Responsible for the smooth day-to-day functioning of the Single Market. Focus on the implementation and enforcement of rules at the European, national, regional and local levels. The new Commissioner is also expected to look at the remaining barriers relating to goods and services and help remove any artificial distinctions between new digital markets and more established markets.

Phil Hogan (EI) - Commissioner for Trade

Former Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Former Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Former President of the Council of EU Environment Ministers

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Leads the reform of the World Trade Organization, notably on the issues of subsidies, forced transfer of technologies and dispute settlement.  Gives further impetus to WTO negotiations on e-commerce, to harness the full potential of data, address barriers and enhance consumer and business trust.  Leads the work on strengthening Europe’s ability to protect itself from unfair trade practices.  The College will appoint a Chief Trade Enforcement Officer to work under the Commissioner’s guidance to monitor and improve the compliance of trade agreements.  Works towards a positive, balanced and mutually beneficial trading partnership with the United States.  Steps up negotiations with China on a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, with the aim of reaching an agreement by the end of 2020.  Prioritises the trade and investment partnership with Africa.

 Takes forward the finalisation of trade agreements already negotiated. Lead the work on concluding ongoing negotiations, notably with Australia and New Zealand.  Working with the Chief Enforcement Officer, monitor the implementation of climate, environmental and labour protections enshrined in the trade agreements.

Paolo Gentiloni (IT) - Commissioner for Economy

Former Prime Minister Former Minister of Communications and also of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Former journalist

Political Party: Socialists & Democrats (S&D)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will lead international efforts to find an agreed approach on digital taxation.  Will lead efforts on making a common consolidated corporate tax base a reality.  Expected to step up the fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance.  Will work closely with Member States on the full implementation of the Union Customs Code.

Virginijus Sinkevičius (LT) - Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Former Minister of Economy and Innovation Does not seem to have experience in climate or environmental issues Youngest Commission nominee, aged 28

Political Party: Greens/EFA

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will lead the work on a new Circular Economy Action Plan to ensure sustainable resource use.  Expected to address the issue of microplastics and ensure that the existing legislation on plastics is implemented.  Will focus on the full implementation of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.  Will contribute to the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy on sustainable food.  Expected to develop a new approach for a sustainable blue economy.

Nicolas Schmit (LU) - Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

Former Minister for Labour and Employment Former Ambassador – Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the EU Elected MEP in July 2019 Political Party: Socialists & Democrats (S&D)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Expected to develop an action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights.  Will monitor and enforce existing EU law in this area and look at ways to improve the labour conditions of platform workers.  Help establish and support the work of the new European Labour Authority.  Promote social dialogue and engage with social partners at the EU level.  Lead the work on implementing and updating the skills agenda, focusing on identifying and filling skills shortages and supporting reskilling as part of the just transition.

Janusz Wojciechowski (PL) - Commissioner for Agriculture

Former Members of the European Court of Auditors Former MEP (AGRI) Former judge

Political Party: European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Will conclude negotiations on a modern and simplified Common Agricultural Policy for the post-2020 period.  Expected to contribute to the new ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy for sustainable food, looking at how the agri-food sector can improve the sustainability of food production across the food chain, including through organic production.  Should look at ways to strengthen the system of geographical indications, as a key part of maintaining high food quality and standards.  Encouraged to promote Europe’s high-quality food standards worldwide.

Adina Vălean (RO) - Commissioner for Transport

Former MEP (ENVI, ITRE, LIBE) Began career as a Maths teacher

Political Party: European People’s Party (EPP)

Relevance for EuroCommerce  Put forward a comprehensive strategy for sustainable and smart mobility.  Contribute to the review of the Energy Taxation Directive.

Contact: Stefania Moise - +32 2 738 06 43 - [email protected] Christian Verschueren - +32 2 738 06 40 – [email protected] Neil McMillan - +32 2 737 05 99 – [email protected]