Members of the European Parliament at the plenary session in Strasbourg overwhelmingly supported the new composition of the European Commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen, who was re-elected to this post, as well as Estonian Kaja Kallas as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security, follows from the voting results.
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The meeting is broadcast on the EP website. The new EC was supported by 370 out of 688 deputies who voted, 282 voted against, 36 abstained.
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Now von der Leyen’s commission must receive formal approval from the Council of the European Union, after which it will be able to begin work on December 1.
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In September, von der Leyen presented her proposals for the composition of the EC for a new five-year term.
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At the insistence of the head of the European Commission, its new composition will consist of 40% women, and they will receive four of the six posts of vice-presidents. The head of the EC sees the main task of the future composition of the European Commission as achieving European competitiveness, strengthening its unity and strengthening its role in the international arena. According to her, the EC will work to achieve technological sovereignty and ensure security.
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Since November 4, the European Parliament has been discussing candidates for European Commissioners at special hearings in relevant committees, where they determined whether the candidates are suitable for the proposed positions.
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The post of head of European diplomacy will be taken by the representative of Estonia, Kaja Kallas. Earlier, during a speech to members of the European Parliament, she called support for Ukraine and confrontation with Russia and China her priorities.
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Among other candidates for appointment to the new European Commission are the future Vice-President of the EC for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Sejournet, Vice-Presidents for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkunnen, and for Green, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, Vice-President EC for Workforce, Skills and Readiness Roxana Mynzatu, Vice-Chair for Cohesion and Reform Rafael Fitto. Maros Šefčović, Valdis Dombrovskis and Oliver Varhelli plan to move to the new European Commission from the old one. Šefčović will take the post of European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Dombrovskis – European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Varhelli – European Commissioner for Health. Former Belgian Foreign Minister Aja Labib will receive the post of European Commissioner for Crisis Management, and MEP Andrius Kubilius, known for his anti-Russian sentiments, will become European Commissioner for Defense and Space.
