About: New European Commission

No reset on EU-Africa relations under von der Leyen

Speculation that Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen could appoint a Commissioner specifically for Africa turned out to be much ado about almost nothing, if her team of Commission nominees unveiled last week is anything to go by.

France’s Goulard gets double internal market and defence industry post

Defending Europe's industrial sovereignty and building a defence and space industry. Ursula von der Leyen's newly-designated European Commission is innovating by adopting French President Emmanuel Macron's demands itself. EURACTIV France reports.

Babis: Rule-of-law job would be great honour for Czech Republic

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has scolded Politico for publishing what he said was old and unconfirmed information about a potential rule-of-law portfolio for the Czech Commission candidate Věra Jourová. But he did say this portfolio would be a prestigious one.  EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.

‘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. 

Manfred Weber: ‘Environmental issues are one of my areas of expertise’

The lead candidate for the centre-right in this week’s European elections says “Europe must move towards net-zero emissions by 2050,” voicing his belief in innovation and new technologies to drive the decarbonisation agenda if he becomes the next president of the European Commission.

Table human rights due diligence law, MEPs tell Commission

MEPs have launched ambitious plans for an EU law requiring companies to carry out human rights due diligence in their supply chains.

What comes after the last chance Commission?

After nearly five years of Jean-Claude Juncker's 'last chance Commission', the EU still appears to be stumbling from one summit to the next. What comes next after May's European elections, asks Steven Blockmans.

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.

Chizhov: Russia stands ready to cooperate with the new Commission

Russia is fully prepared to reinvigorate its relations with the new European Commission, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, Russian Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview. “I would suggest that we should not concentrate on slogans, or debate whether our relationship is strategic or not, but rather look into the substance”, the diplomat said. 

Moedas makes impassioned plea for Europe, science and research

Carlos Moedas, the Portuguese Commissioner-designate for Research, Science and Innovation, sailed through his confirmation hearing in the European Parliament today (30 September), sweeping aside criticism that he helped implement one of the toughest austerity programmes during the eurozone crisis.

MEPs load their guns for EU commissioner hearings

European parliament committees expressed their concerns about the structure, portfolios and competences of candidates in written questions to the 27 commissioners-designate. The queries were sent to the candidates last week as part of the approval process of the new Juncker Commission.

Analyst: MEPs rejecting Hill is tantamount to ‘nuclear option’

Among the “problematic” candidate-commissioners, the one which the European Parliament would most like to disqualify at the hearings starting next week is the UK's Jonathan Hill. But this would amount to launching a nuclear attack. That’s why it is more likely that MEPs will try to “take the scalp” of a candidate from a less strategic country, an expert told EURACTIV.

Britain handed climate and energy portfolio in draft Juncker Commission line-up

The UK could miss out on its desired economics portfolio in Jean-Claude’s Juncker’s new European Commission, instead being handed responsibility for the EU’s energy and climate change policies.

Dutch name emerges for EU post amid doubt about his chances

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans was due to meet the president of the European Commission today (2 September) about a senior role in the European Union's executive body, Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported on Monday.

Paris socialist pre-summit focuses on economy, employment

Eight social democrat leaders including Sigmar Gabriel from Germany, Denmark's Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Italy's Matteo Renzi said today (30 August) in Paris that they want to add economic policy to the agenda of the EU summit.

Wrap-up: Leaders choose Tusk, Mogherini at Summit

EU leaders gathered at the European Council in Brussels, on Saturday (30 August), to break the deadlock on EU top jobs and to respond to the escalating conflict in Eastern Ukraine. An overview of events, as they happened, is below.

EU summit only to decide Van Rompuy and Ashton successors

EXCLUSIVE / The extraordinary EU summit on 30 August, which was expected to put together “the full puzzle” of the EU top jobs for the next five years, will only decide on the successors of Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, sources told EURACTIV today (26 August).

When science meets politics: the EU’s impact assessment review

The European Commission is reviewing its impact assessment guidelines amid accusations that science is becoming increasingly politicised and scientists manipulated by policymakers and powerful interest groups.

Cluster model could help Juncker solve Commission puzzle

An influential think-tank’s proposal to streamline the European executive may hold the solution to incoming Commission President Jean Claude Juncker’s difficulties in apportioning jobs among his new team, writes Jeremy Fleming.

Glover: EU chief scientist should stay in the shadows

Anne Glover, the EU’s Chief Scientific Advisor, has said that her opinions to the European Commission should remain independent from politics and therefore “not transparent” and immune from public scrutiny. The incoming Commission chief, Jean-Claude Juncker, is considering to maintain her position after Barroso leaves, EURACTIV understands.

Poland, Italy nominations leave Juncker needing four more commissioners

Italy and Poland today confirmed the two leading candidates for the job of EU foreign affairs chief as their nominations for commissioner, leaving Jean-Claude Juncker waiting for Belgium, the Netherlands Cyprus and Denmark to complete the line-up of the new European Commission.

Belgian coalition talks stumble over commissioner choice

The outgoing Belgian prime minister, Elio Di Rupo, has asked political parties engaged in government coalition talks to choose an EU commission nominee before Friday (1 August).

France names ex-finance minister Moscovici as commissioner

President François Hollande formally proposed his former finance minister Pierre Moscovici on Tuesday (29 July) to be France's representative in the next European Commission which takes office later this year.