As the week unfolds, there are several key events to keep an eye on in the European Union. On Monday, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is set to present his findings on competitiveness. Tuesday will see the European Court of Justice deliver judgments in two significant appeals, one related to Google and the other related to the taxation of Apple. Wednesday will be a busy day, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meeting with the European Parliament’s conference of presidents to discuss commission portfolios, while Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is expected to unveil the State of the Energy Union report.
There has been much speculation surrounding which Commission nominee will receive which job, with Ursula von der Leyen set to reveal her portfolios on Wednesday. A leaked table suggested that many sought-after policies within the EU executive will go to members of von der Leyen’s centre-right European People’s Party, including roles eyed by socialists. Three executive vice presidencies are expected to go to France, Italy, and Spain. Spain’s Teresa Ribera is rumored to be given the digital green transition portfolio, with reports also suggesting she may replace Margrethe Vestager as Europe’s chief competition enforcer. France’s Thierry Breton is expected to be given responsibility for Industry and Strategic Autonomy, while Italy’s Raffaele Fitto is slated for the Economy and Post-Pandemic Recovery portfolio.
There has been talk of a gender rebalance in the nominations for European Commissioners, with pressure on certain countries to nominate female candidates. Slovenia’s Tomaž Vesel withdrew his bid last week, with former MEP and current foreign minister Tanja Fajon reportedly in the running as a replacement nominee. Romania also switched out its original nominee in favor of a female candidate. Ursula von der Leyen is seeking greater gender balance among her top officials as she finalizes her team.
As the week progresses, attention will turn to the Parliamentary confirmation hearings once von der Leyen unveils her chosen configuration. A leaked document suggested that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pick for Commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, is likely to be rejected and could be replaced by another nominee. The right-wing faction represented by Raffaele Fitto, if he receives an executive vice presidency role, will be closely scrutinized by the European Parliament. Other commissioners with more direct responsibility for financial services and cohesion funds may also play significant roles in shaping policy under this new executive.
With decisions being made at the highest levels of the European Commission, there is much anticipation surrounding the allocation of portfolios and the potential impact on key policy areas. From competition enforcement to economic recovery, the choices made by Ursula von der Leyen will have far-reaching consequences for the EU. As she seeks to balance the interests of different member states and political factions, the composition of her team will shape the future direction of the European Union. Stay tuned as these developments unfold throughout the week.
