The task of assigning duties to a team from the European Commission is an intricate affair, akin to the complexities of three-dimensional chess, ridden with political challenges. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, was faced with this task when shaping her second commission. She sought balance between various factors such as geographical interests, ideological beliefs, party dominance, gender distinctions, deference to older states’ self-importance and claimed rights, and the individual capacities of nominees from 27 capitals.
Von der Leyen’s primary goal was to exhibit a revamped commission, its framework and membership mirroring the political orientations dominating the new term. This marked a pivot from an overt focus on climatic issues – still a significant concern nonetheless – towards a wider emphasis on increased investment and bolstered defence readiness against Russia and other geopolitical threats. von der Leyen, quoting Mario Draghi’s radical report on Europe’s dwindling competitiveness, coined this as the “Investment Commission”.
Von der Leyen’s effort proved fruitful to an extent. The revamped commission will have 40% female representation, with women taking on four of the six executive vice president roles.
Von der Leyen’s European People’s Party, holding the most significant representation in the European Parliament, will control 14 of the 27 commissionerships. The Renew faction of liberals stands to gain 5 portfolios, with Michael McGrath from Ireland holding the critical position of Justice. Teresa Ribera, Spain’s deputy prime minister of the influential Socialist group, serves as the executive vice president. She is tasked with managing a vast portfolio supervising competition and key green and economic matters.
However, challenges remain. In an effort to appease far-right Italian premier Giorgia Meloni, Raffaele Fitto was assigned an executive VP role, also taking charge of cohesion funding. His endorsement by MEPs, especially those from the left and the Greens, looks uncertain. The precedent of the Parliament wanting the commission president to remember its overriding authority by targeting at least one individual is likely to continue.
Although not the anticipated economic role, Ireland’s commission seat encompasses two main fields where the commission has been launching key initiatives. One of them is ensuring coherence to the rule of law across the EU, with significant focus on Hungary. The second is introducing legislations to compel colossal social media entities to self-regulate, particularly amidst the uncontrolled expansion of the internet and AI. The fact that Ireland is home to numerous tech firms may have factored into McGrath’s appointment. This role, while not related to conventional key national areas like agriculture or trade, deals with a substantial industry that one should be well-versed with. It’s regulation plays a pivotal role for the entire EU in the forthcoming years. Clearly, it’s not a minor portfolio.