DOCSLIB.ORG

The Von Der Leyen Commission: an Overview

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
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 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• www.eurocommerce.eu 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. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2 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. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 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.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Euroopa Parlamendi Arutelud 1
    18-11-2008 ET Euroopa Parlamendi arutelud 1 TEISIPÄEV, 18. NOVEMBER 2008 ISTUNGI JUHATAJA: Luisa MORGANTINI asepresident 1. Osaistungjärgu avamine (Istung avati kell 9.00.) 2. Inimõiguste, demokraatia ja õigusriigi põhimõtete rikkumise juhtumite arutamine (esitatud resolutsiooni ettepanekute tutvustamine) (vt protokoll) 3. Otsus kiirmenetluse kohta Ettepanek võtta vastu nõukogu määrus, millega muudetakse nõukogu määrust (EÜ) nr 332/2002, millega liikmesriikide maksebilansi toetamiseks luuakse keskmise tähtajaga rahalise abi süsteem (KOM(2008)0717 – C6-0389/2008 – 2008/0208(CNS)) Pervenche Berès, majandus- ja rahanduskomisjoni esimees. – (FR) Proua juhataja, kõnealune arutelu toimub täna õhtul juhul, kui täiskogu hääletab kõnealust küsimust käsitleva kiirmenetluse poolt. See on Euroopa õigusakti muudatusettepanek, mis võimaldab meil tagada maksebilansi süsteemid väljaspool euroala asuvatele riikidele. Nagu me kõik teame, on tegemist Ungari küsimusega, kuid kahjuks ma usun, et me peame ettepoole vaatama ja seega edendama seda Euroopa Liidu süsteemi, et anda abi ELi, sealhulgas euroalast väljaspool asuvatele, liikmesriikidele. Seepärast palun ma täiskogul hääletada kõnealuse kiirmenetluse poolt. (Kiirmenetluse taotlus kiideti heaks)(1) 4. Ühise põllumajanduspoliitika raames põllumajandustootjate suhtes kohaldatavad otsetoetus- ja teatavad muud toetuskavad – Ühise põllumajanduspoliitika muudatused – Maaelu Arengu Euroopa Põllumajandusfondist antavad maaelu arengu toetused –Ühenduse maaelu arengu strateegiasuunised (2007–2013) (arutelu) Juhataja.
    [Show full text]
  • Malala Yousafzai Documentary James Mcavoy Holds the Award for Best British Film
    SUBSCRIPTION TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 JAMADA ALTHANI 11, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Panel to Morocco Ancient Petra India’s women discuss diesel confronts sees few athletes box, smuggling abortion taboo visitors as Jordan shoot, wrestle with officials3 with reform7 tourism40 declines for17 recognition Ban names Amir ‘Global Min 22º Max 31º Humanitarian Champion’ High Tide 10:15 & 21:35 Low Tide UN chief hails Sheikh Sabah’s compassion, generosity 03:15 & 15:40 40 PAGES NO: 16476 150 FILS NEW YORK: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hoped world leaders emulate HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s humanitarian lead- NGOs pledge $506m for Syrian refugees ership, describing him as a “Global Humanitarian Champion”. In an exclusive interview with Kuwait News KUWAIT: A UN envoy warned yesterday of a “horrify- Agency (KUNA) and Kuwait TV, Ban expressed his deep- ing” humanitarian situation brewing in Syria as non- est appreciation of HH the Amir for his generous and governmental organizations pledged more than $500 compassionate leadership in hosting the third interna- million for refugees on the eve of a major donor con- tional donors conference (Kuwait III) for Syria. ference. The United Nations has launched an appeal Ban, noting the Syrian people’s dire need of to raise $8.4 billion for Syria this year and hopes to resources of all kinds, called on the world leaders to receive major pledges at the donor meeting today in take part in this pledging conference. With the estima- Kuwait. “Failing to meet the required funds risks tion of $8.4 billion set by the UN needed to address the resulting in a horrifying and dangerous humanitarian current humanitarian crisis in 2015-16, Ban said $2.9 bil- catastrophe,” Abdullah Al-Maatouq, UN special envoy lion is for the Syrian response plan and $5.5 billion is for humanitarian affairs, told a meeting of NGOs.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is EU Public Health and Why? Explaining the Scope and Organization of Public Health in the European Union
    What Is EU Public Health and Why? Explaining the Scope and Organization of Public Health in the European Union Scott L. Greer Holly Jarman University of Michigan Abstract Public health is notoriously difficult to define, and that is the case for public health in the European Union as much as other political systems. In this article, the authors try to identify the actual scope and meaning of public health as it is institu- tionalized in the EU political system. Using a mixture of historical policy and legal analysis, the authors show how the evolution of the institutional space called public health in the EU has been shaped by the EU’s distinctive constitutional nature, its focus on regulation, and the legacy of its focus on market making as well as the preferences of its political leaders. The European Union does have an increasingly large space named “public health,” in which health ministers, the health directorate-general, and invoca- tion of its public health treaty article 168 can be found, as well as a much broader and older area of activities justified by the need to manage adverse health consequences of market-making policies in other areas such as labor standards and agriculture. The COVID-19 crisis of 2020 not only led to a strengthening of EU public health but also showed that the EU is one of the many political systems in which the legal and bureaucratic domain of public health is far smaller than the actual issues affecting the public’s health. Keywords European Union, public health, politics, communicable disease control It is a staple of reflective writing on public health to note that it is a hard field to define, and one preoccupied with self-definition.
    [Show full text]
  • October 24–26, 2021 2
    SCIENCE · INNOVATION · POLICIES WORLD HEALTH SUMMIT BERLIN, GERMANY & DIGITAL OCTOBER 24–26, 2021 2 “No-one is safe from COVID-19; “All countries have signed up to Universal no-one is safe until we are all Health Coverage by 2030. But we cannot safe from it. Even those who wait ten years. We need health systems conquer the virus within their that work, before we face an outbreak own borders remain prisoners of something more contagious than within these borders until it is COVID-19; more deadly; or both.” conquered everywhere.” ANTÓNIO GUTERRES Secretary-General, United Nations FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER Federal President, Germany “We firmly believe that the “All pulling together—this must rights of women and girls be the hallmark of the European are not negotiable.” Health Union. I believe this can NATALIA KANEM be a test case for true global Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) health compact. The need for leadership is clear and I believe the European Union must as- sume this responsibility.” “The lesson is clear: a strong health URSULA VON DER LEYEN system is a resilient health system. Health President, European Commission systems and preparedness are not only “Governments of countries an investment in the future, they are the that are doing well during foundation of our response today.” the pandemic have not TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) only shown political leader- ship, but also have listened “If we don’t address the concerns and to scientists and followed fears we will not do ourselves a favor. their recommendations.” In the end, it is about how technology SOUMYA SWAMINATHAN Chief Scientist, World Health can be advanced as well as how Organization (WHO) we can make healthcare more human.” BERND MONTAG President and CEO, Siemens Healthineers AG, Germany “The pandemic has brought to light the “Academic collabo ration is importance of digital technologies and in place and is really a how it can radically bridging partnership.
    [Show full text]
  • Stella Kyriakides: EU Commissioner for Health
    Stella Kyriakides: EU Commissioner for Health Alberto Costa / 2 November 2020 When Stella Kyriakides took on the post of EU Health Commissioner in September 2019, Europe’s cancer community knew they could trust her to fight their cause. Within months she was launching a public consultation on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Then came COVID. Alberto Costa asked her how her experience as a breast cancer survivor and patient advocate shaped her approach to her new role and how she is coping with the demands of responding to a major public health crisis while still delivering on the expectations of the cancer community. Cancer World: You were still becoming familiar with your new office at the Berlaymont in Brussels when the COVID-19 pandemic exploded. How did you respond? Stella Kyriakides: In Greek, there is a saying: “In difficult situations, you just roll up your sleeves and get the work done.” There was no option but to do everything to rise to the challenge of the greatest public health crisis in memory. Quickly getting a grasp of the issues at hand, ensuring we have the right expertise in place, connecting the dots to our Member States and European Parliament, and finding pragmatic, concrete and workable solutions as quickly as possible in a calm and effective way. The COVID-19 crisis has affected the lives of countless citizens and businesses around the globe. As European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, it is my responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can to protect public health. It is important to be prepared for any eventuality at all times, and be ready to react swiftly.
    [Show full text]
  • Report 2021, No. 6
    News Agency on Conservative Europe Report 2021, No. 6. Report on conservative and right wing Europe 20th March, 2021 GERMANY 1. jungefreiheit.de (translated, original by jungefreiheit.de, 18.03.2021) "New German media makers" Migrant organization calls for more “diversity” among journalists media BERLIN. The migrant organization “New German Media Makers” (NdM) has reiterated its demand that editorial offices should become “more diverse”. To this end, the association presented a “Diversity Guide” on Wednesday under the title “How German Media Create More Diversity”. According to excerpts on the NdM website, it says, among other things: “German society has changed, it has become more colorful. That should be reflected in the reporting. ”The manual explains which terms journalists should and should not use in which context. 2 When reporting on criminal offenses, “the prejudice still prevails that refugees or people with an international history are more likely to commit criminal offenses than biographically Germans and that their origin is causally related to it”. Collect "diversity data" and introduce "soft quotas" Especially now, when the media are losing sales, there is a crisis of confidence and more competition, “diversity” is important. "More diversity brings new target groups, new customers and, above all, better, more successful journalism." The more “diverse” editorial offices are, the more it is possible “to take up issues of society without prejudice”, the published excerpts continue to say. “And just as we can no longer imagine a purely male editorial office today, we should also no longer be able to imagine white editorial offices. Precisely because of the special constitutional mandate of the media, the question of fair access and the representation of all population groups in journalism is also a question of democracy.
    [Show full text]
  • Here They Have Been Most Felt
    1 Democracy and Rule of Law Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 2 SPEAKERS 3 PROGRAM 4 LET’S TALK ABOUT EUROPE! 6 IMMIGRATION POLICY – FOR A EUROPE OF RIGHTS AND SOLIDARITY 8 Politiche Contro i Migranti in Violazione dei Diritti Umani – Luigi Ferrajoli 9 LAW IN TIMES OF POPULISM - OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES: THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION AND EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY 18 The Digital Revolution and European Democracy – Filipe Marques 19 Zeitenwende - Europäische Identität in Disruptiven Zeiten - Jürgen Neyer 23 AUSTERITY AND SOCIAL RIGHTS 33 Welcome Speech - Michael Pikramenos 34 Austerity and Social Rights - Filipe Marques 36 Les Mesures d’Austerité et la Cour Constitutionnelle Portugaise - Joaquim de Sousa Ribeiro 39 Austerity and Social Rights - A Collusive Relationship - George Stavropoulos 45 Austerity and Social State in Crisis - Tassos Giannitsis 48 Austerity and Social Rights - Tefkros Th. Economou 57 THE RULE OF LAW FROM A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE 63 How to Safeguard Judicial Independence as a Constitutional Value of the European Union Based on the Rule of Law - Thomas Giegerich 64 2 Democracy and Rule of Law Introduction In this ebook, MEDEL – Magistrats Européens pour la Démocratie et les Libertés, gathers most of the interventions and PowerPoint presentations given in its cycle of conferences “Democracy and Rule of Law”, held in March 2019, in view of the European Parliament elections to be held in May. It is our intention with this publication to give a further contribution to the debate that Europe urgently needs to make about the four topics addressed in the conferences: immigration, austerity and social rights, populism and the independence of the Judiciary.
    [Show full text]
  • Parlament Ewropew
    23.12.2009 MT Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea C 316 /1 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/QP-WEB IV (Informazzjoni) INFORMAZZJONI MINN ISTITUZZJONIJIET U KORPI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA Parlament Ewropew MISTOQSIJIET BIL-MIKTUB BIT-TWEĠIBIET Lista tat-titli tal-Mistoqsijiet bil-Miktub imressqa mill-Membri fil-Parlament Ewropew, b'indikazzjoni tan-numru u tal-lingwa oriġinali tal-mistoqsija, tal-awtur tagħha u tal-grupp politiku tiegħu, tal-istituzzjoni destinatarja, kif ukoll tad-data tat-tressiq u tas-suġġett tal-mistoqsija. (2009/C316/01) E-3028/08 (ES) minn Willy Meyer Pleite (GUE/NGL) lill-Kummissjoni (27 ta' Mejju 2008) Suġġett: Il-ksur tad-Direttiva dwar it-trattament tal-ilma għar-rimi fl-estwarju ta’ O Burgo, Galicia, Spanja TweġiBa preliminarja mill-Kummissjoni (23 ta' Lulju 2008) TweġiBa konġunta mill-Kummissjoni (4 ta' Marzu 2009) P-4422/08 (EN) minn Inese Vaidere (UEN) lill-Kummissjoni (30 ta' Lulju 2008) Suġġett: Pjanijiet min-naħa tar-Russja li titneħħa s-sistema tal-viżi għal ċerti ċittadini tal-Unjoni Ewropea li għandhom nazzjonalità Russa TweġiBa mill-Kummissjoni (8 ta' SettemBru 2008) E-4679/08 (NL) minn Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (ALDE) lill-Kummissjoni (3 ta' SettemBru 2008) Suġġett: L-immaniġġjar tal-konfini esterni tal-Komunità u tat-Turkija – is-soluzzjoni għal dan l-intopp TweġiBa mill-Kummissjoni (29 ta' OttuBru 2008) E-4911/08 (EN) minn Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) lill-Kummissjoni (17 ta' SettemBru 2008) Suġġett: ProBlema tas-saħħa TweġiBa mill-Kummissjoni (27 ta' OttuBru 2008) P-5000/08 (DE) minn Vural Öger (PSE) lill-Kummissjoni
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to the New Commission
    A guide to the new Commission allenovery.com 2 A guide to the new Commission © Allen & Overy LLP 2019 3 A guide to the new Commission On 10 September, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen announced the new European Commission. There were scarcely any leaks in advance about the structure of the new Commission and the allocation of dossiers which indicates that the new Commission President-elect will run a very tight ship. All the Commission candidates will need approval from the European Parliament in formal hearings before they can take up their posts on 1 November. Von der Leyen herself won confirmation in July and the Spanish Commissioner Josep Borrell had already been confirmed as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy. The new College of Commissioners will have eight Vice-Presidents technological innovation and the taxation of digital companies. and of these three will be Executive Vice-Presidents with supercharged The title Mrs Vestager has been given in the President-elect’s mission portfolios with responsibility for core topics of the Commission’s letter is ‘Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age’. agenda. Frans Timmermans (Netherlands) and Margrethe Vestager The fact that Mrs Vestager has already headed the Competition (Denmark), who are incumbent Commissioners and who were both portfolio in the Juncker Commission combined with her enhanced candidates for the Presidency, were rewarded with major portfolios. role as Executive Vice-President for Digital means that she will be Frans Timmermans, who was a Vice-President and Mr Junker’s a powerful force in the new Commission and on the world stage.
    [Show full text]
  • The New European Commission – What Happens Next?
    THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION – WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The new European Commission is taking shape, following last week’s announcement of the full line-up of new Commissioners and their portfolios. President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has achieved the gender parity she sought, with 13 of the 27 Commission posts taken by women. The portfolios have been carefully allocated, taking into account the previous experience of the nominees, as well as the size and relative influence of each Member State. The Commissioners-designate will now be vetted by the European Parliament Committees before a plenary vote on the full college of Commissioners next month. The hearings are an opportunity for MEPs to win political points and media attention. Given the frustration over the rejection of the Spitzenkandidat process, we can expect the Parliament to assert itself during the vetting process through threatening to withhold its approval from poorly performing nominees. As von der Leyen will be eager to ensure a straightforward vote in plenary, she is likely to listen seriously to the Parliament’s concerns. Below we set out what to expect from the hearing process and key dates ahead of the new Commission taking office on 1 November. TIMELINE: 30 SEPT - 8 OCT Hearings of Commissioners-designate. 19 SEPTEMBER October 2: Didier Reynders (Justice) and 23 OCTOBER 1 NOVEMBER Decision on which Committee Sylvie Goulard (Internal Market); European Parliament plenary New Commission takes office. will interrogate each nominee; October 3: Margaritis Schinas (VP - vote on the full College of European way of life); October 8: Margrethe Committees issue written questions Vestager (VP – tech and digital), Valdis Commissioners.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eu's New Commission: Digital Policy in the Limelight
    Policy Papers and Briefs - 13, 2019 THE EU’S NEW COMMISSION: DIGITAL POLICY IN THE LIMELIGHT Stephanie Borg Psaila Summary • The work of the new European Commission (EC) offi- • The EC President also wants to see a more balanced cially started in December 2019. Leading the work approach to how data is used: allowing the flow and use is a set of political guidelines issued by incoming EC of data for the benefit of innovation and market growth, President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on climate, while adhering to strong privacy, security, and ethical technology, and demography. standards. • In relation to technology and digital policy, there are ten • Across other key areas, the EC President plans to make key areas of relevance, including artificial intelligence Europe a tech sovereign by taking the lead in stand- (AI) and data, which the EC President sees as the key ard-setting, and investing in the tech industry. ingredients that can help solve societal problems. • Although the guidelines will be the EC’s compass for the • Among the most anticipated policy measures is one that next five years, the implications go beyond European relates to AI: ‘In my first 100 days in office, I will put -for shores. ward legislation for a coordinated European approach on the human and ethical implications of AI.’ December 2019 Introduction: The Commission’s digital policy priorities for the next five years The work of the new European Commission (EC) officially including artificial intelligence (AI) and data, which she started in December, after a delay in vetting procedures sees as the key ingredients that can help solve soci- (and partially due to Brexit).
    [Show full text]
  • Valérie Hayer Member of the European Parliament Brussels, 11
    Valérie Hayer Brussels, 11 March 2020 Member of the European Parliament Ms. Ursula von der Leyen President European Commission Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200 1049 Brussels Belgium Dear President, On behalf of the Renew Europe Group’s French delegation, I ask you and the coronavirus response team to take all the appropriate budgetary measures to ensure a coordinated European response to the health, economic and social impacts caused by the coronavirus outbreak in all Member States of the European Union (EU). In this regard, I welcome the Corona Response Investment Initiative aiming at mobilising 7.5 billion of euros unspent for the cohesion policy. In addition, I want to raise your attention that more than 4 billion of euros are also available for unforeseen events and crises in this year budget. As this situation puts high pressure on our European businesses, economy and workers, we should use the EU budget flexibilities to alleviate economic losses and reinforce sectors and enterprises at risk, enabling the European Union and its businesses to cope with unforeseen sanitary crises in the future at the same time. Consequently, I urge you to make a proposal for the modification of the Council Regulation (EU) 2016/369 of 15 March 2016 on the provision of emergency support within the Union in order to extend its scope for providing European businesses and sectors negatively and significantly impacted by an epidemic with a budgetary support to avoid their collapse and job losses, but also to prepare them for any future crisis. If such a modification cannot be considered, I ask you to propose a new Regulation based on the Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which states that the Union may grant financial assistance “where a Member State is in difficulties or is seriously threatened with severe difficulties caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences beyond its control”.
    [Show full text]