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Von der Leyen wants names for new commission by end of August

by AI | 26.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

In the new EU Commission of Ursula von der Leyen, there are still 25 positions to be filled. The EU member states now have a deadline.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, calls on the heads of state and government of the EU countries to name the candidates for the new EU Commission by the end of August. Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/dpa

Brussels – The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has asked the heads of state and government of the EU countries in writing to nominate their candidates for the composition of the new EU Commission by August 30. A spokesperson in Brussels announced this. Von der Leyen plans to interview the nominees by mid-September, select the most suitable candidates, and assign them responsibilities. For the first time, there will also be commissioners for topics such as defense and housing.

The European Parliament confirmed von der Leyen’s nomination by the heads of state and government last week. The 65-year-old German politician then said that she also aimed for a balanced ratio of men and women in the Commission this time.

German and Estonian positions in the Commission already set

Countries that do not need to nominate candidates are Germany and Estonia. This is because the Federal Republic already has a place in the future EU Commission with Ursula von der Leyen, and the Estonian Kaja Kallas is set for the position of EU Foreign Representative.

The new team is expected to start its work on November 1. However, the commissioners selected by Ursula von der Leyen must also be confirmed by Parliament before that. (July 25)