About: New Commission
Commissioners assemble: Class of 2019-2024
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s executive began work on the 1 December. Read here all the details and figures on the self-dubbed “geopolitical Commission”. After a lengthy approval process, which saw three candidates rejected by the European Parliament...
Goulard’s indictment confirms EU Parliament doubts
France's first pick for the EU Commissioner post, Sylvie Goulard, has been indicted by the Court of Paris for embezzlement of funds in the employment of EU parliamentary assistants, raising questions about French President Emmanuel Macron defending her candidacy after MEPs rejected her on ethical grounds. EURACTIV France reports.
UK set to backtrack and pick an EU Commissioner
The British government admitted on Monday (11 November) that it would “meet its legal obligations” and name a candidate to serve in Ursula von der Leyen’s incoming European Commission in Brussels.
Romania relies on fifth time lucky with Commissioner pick
Bucharest’s fourth attempt to name a European Commissioner has failed, after President-elect Ursula von der Leyen decided that Romania’s interim government did not have the right to nominate someone.
New EU Commission delayed for at least a month
The European Parliament expects the new EU Commission to start work with at least a month's delay after MEPs rejected three candidate-commissioners, the institution's spokesman said Wednesday.
Von der Leyen offers Poland agriculture portfolio, candidate withdraws
Ursula von der Leyen, the incoming president of the European Commission, has offered Poland the agriculture portfolio in her new executive. But designated Polish pick Krzysztof Szczerski ruled himself out of the running and withdrew his candidacy.
‘Green Deal’ supporters resist idea of splitting energy and climate portfolio
The incoming President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is preparing a ‘Green Deal’ team that may be led by Vice-President Frans Timmermans. Whether the climate and energy briefs will be split or kept together remains to be seen, however.
Greens want four EU Commission jobs in return for von der Leyen support
The Greens in the European Parliament have spelt out their conditions for backing future legislative proposals coming out of the new Commission that will take office on 1 November. EURACTIV's media partner Ouest-France reports.
EU Commission nominee backs 50% carbon cut by 2030, fails to win Greens’ support
Ursula von der Leyen said Europe should become the world’s first climate neutral continent, as she sought lawmakers’ backing for the top job on Wednesday (10 July). EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
New EU chief seeks ‘smart advice’ on first trip to Brussels
EU Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (4 July) made her first trip to Brussels since being nominated, as senior officials sought to shore up support for her appointment in the European Parliament.
A new European agenda for climate resilience
As the 2019 EU elections loom and a new European Commission takes office, climate action can become a key driver of a reformed EU project for more solidarity, protection and innovation, writes Luca Bergamaschi.
Georgieva: Faull ‘very capable’ to lead EU’s ‘Brexit’ taskforce
“Jonathan Faull is someone who can very capably lead our work in terms of what expectations the UK has for reforms in the EU, what is possible and how we can meet each other”, said EU Budget Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva in a press conference on Wednesday.
Commission reshuffle has Faull take charge of Brexit taskforce
Jonathan Faull, the European Union’s top civil servant for financial services regulation, will head up a European Commission “Brexit” taskforce dedicated to the United Kingdom’s referendum on its membership of the bloc.
Lobbyists shift tactics to espouse Commission’s ‘cluster’ structure
In the past year, EU lobbyists in Brussels have shifted their modus operandi to look increasingly outwards for allies in a move to adapt to the new cluster structure of the European Commission.
The Juncker Commission’s hotel lifestyle
Commissioners are encouraged to be present in both Brussels and at home, even if this leads to unconventional arrangements. Jean-Claude Juncker and Pierre Moscovici both accepted a settling-in grant for the move to Brussels, despite staying in hotels in the EU capital. EURACTIV France reports.
Juncker appoints former rival Barnier as security advisor
France's former Internal Market Commissioner is on his way back to Brussels in the guise of Jean-Claude Juncker's new special advisor on defence and security. EURACTIV France reports.
EU law could boost ‘safe’ securitisation
The European Commission will consider reducing how much capital banks must hold against risk for a new class of asset-backed securities, a process of packaging and selling loans blamed for the financial crisis.
EU recycling targets workable and worth it
There is nothing wise about scrapping a proposal to increase the EU’s recycling targets and delaying the development of a circular economy, writes Jeremy Wates.
Wrap-up: first 100 days of #TeamJunckerEU
EURACTIV looks back at the first 100 days of the new European Commission led by Jean-Claude Juncker, showing how the new team progressed.
Brussels unlocks funds for Youth Employment Initiative
The European Commission is proposing to make €1 billion from the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) available earlier and increase the pre-financing rate by up to 30 times for eligible member states in order to boost youth employment.
#TeamJunckerEU hits 100-day mark, gets passing grade
Beginning his mandate with a promise to deliver a new start for Europe, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, gets a mixed review after his first 100 days in office.
Hedegaard: ‘We have to be careful about what we label as red tape’
The European Commission's drive to cut down EU legislation may sound like a good idea. But it can also do more harm than good, by reinstating borders in the single market, warns Connie Hedegaard.
Waste laws will be binned, despite protests
The European Commission’s decision to ditch the Circular Economy package of waste, recycling and incineration laws, was confirmed yesterday (22 January), despite the objections of the EU Parliament and national environment ministers.