Ursula von der Leyen strengthens power in European Commission

On September 17, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the 26 nominees for the new European Commission, which will govern the EU for the next five years. The nominees include a diverse group of 16 men and 10 women, featuring former prime ministers, foreign ministers, finance ministers, and other professionals from various sectors. The selection process involves confirmation by the Members of the European Parliament, highlighting the importance of political consensus in the EU's governance. Von der Leyen's proposed commission reflects a strategic alignment with her core priorities, focusing on prosperity, security, and democracy. The new structure aims to enhance competitiveness in the green and digital transitions, which are seen as interconnected challenges. This approach is in response to a recent report by Mario Draghi, emphasizing the need for a coordinated industrial policy to maintain economic growth comparable to the United States and China. Key appointments include Estonia's Kaja Kallas, Portugal's Teresa Ribera, and France's Stephane Sejourne, who will oversee critical portfolios such as foreign affairs and green transition. Additionally, Romania's Roxana Mănzatu and Finland's Henna Virkkunen have been promoted to vice presidential roles, while some incumbents have been demoted, indicating a shift in leadership dynamics within the commission. Von der Leyen's commitment to increasing gender representation is evident, with nearly 40% of the nominees being women. This restructuring aims to create a more interactive and balanced commission, capable of addressing the EU's pressing challenges and fostering a cohesive approach to governance across member states.