The deadline for EU members to propose candidates for the EU executive is 30 August. These candidates will fill not-quite-top jobs in Brussels, shaping EU policy over the next five years. Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen won MEPs’ approval to serve a second term as European Commission President and must now assemble her team of commissioners. These officials are drawn from each member state, much like ministers in a national government, and are given specific policy briefs such as trade policy, migration, and budget management. Von der Leyen can design and allocate ministerial portfolios as she sees fit, with new ones such as defence and housing being promised. While she has asked for nominations by August, most leaders are not following her request to propose gender-balanced candidates.
Austria’s government coalition agreement allows the center-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) to choose a commissioner, with Finance Minister Magnus Brunner and EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler being favored options. The Greens have proposed Othmar Karas as a compromise. It is rumored that Austria might be given the agriculture portfolio by von der Leyen. In Belgium, the likely coalition government is forming from five parties, with the conservative New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) using most of its leverage to claim the premiership, leaving the EU role to a junior partner. Potential candidates include incumbent commissioner Didier Reynders and MEP Sophie Wilmès.
Bulgaria is in a political crisis, pushing discussions over EU commissioners off the table, while Croatia’s current Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica is likely to stay on. In Cyprus, the candidate is unknown, and incumbent commissioner Stella Kyriakides has announced she will not return. Czechia has unanimously agreed on Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela as the commissioner candidate, with a focus on energy or trade. Denmark’s possible candidate is socialist Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Global Climate Policy and Development.
Estonia’s Kaja Kallas is nominated to serve as the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In Finland, MEP Henna Virkkunen is the commissioner candidate, focused on security or competitiveness. France’s Thierry Breton may be re-appointed as the internal market commissioner. Hungary’s government has yet to name a candidate, with Oliver Várhelyi and MEP Enikő Győri being potential candidates. Ireland’s nominee is Michael McGrath, focused on an economics-related portfolio. Italy’s Raffaele Fitto or Elisabetta Belloni could be potential candidates, with Fitto being a good match for the coveted portfolio.
Latvia has chosen Valdis Dombrovskis as the commissioner candidate, likely focused on economics. Lithuania may select Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, seeking an external-facing role related to foreign policy. Luxembourg’s MEP Christophe Hansen may be the official choice, possibly getting the agriculture portfolio. Malta’s Glenn Micallef is the commissioner nominee, a non-politician selected to avoid government ties. In the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra is likely to be reappointed as commissioner, focused on finance, trade, or economics.
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski or Piotr Serafin could be potential candidates for EU roles. Portugal’s Miguel Poiares Maduro is tipped for a research, innovation, and science commissioner role. Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis and MEPs Siegfried Mureşan or Mihai Tudose are potential candidates. Slovakia plans to reappoint Maroš Šefčovič for a fourth term, focusing on competitiveness, industry, energy, or the green deal. Slovenia’s Tomaž Vesel is the candidate, with preferences for specific portfolios mentioned. Spain’s Teresa Ribera is the official candidate, seeking a powerful vice-presidency related to the Green Deal.
Sweden’s Jessika Roswall will become the country’s first center-right EU commissioner, focusing on important issues such as the war in Ukraine, competitiveness, climate, and crime. Each EU country is set to propose candidates for Brussels roles, with a variety of potential portfolios and responsibilities in the mix.
