For Italy, Raffaele Fitto secures the vice-presidency with responsibility for Cohesion and Reforms
Six executive vice-presidencies (including one assigned to Raffaele Fitto), 20 commissioners, and competencies and portfolios have been significantly reshuffled compared to 5 years ago, especially in energy, climate, and the environment. The face and priorities of the new EU Commission presented today by Ursula von der Leyen seem far removed from those of 2019. The momentum of the Green Deal gives way to a focus on competitiveness and re-industrialization. The key figures, who in some ways stood up to Ursula, have left (some even slamming the door, like Thierry Breton’s recent departure).
Let’s take a closer look at how the responsibilities related to energy and climate have been distributed in the new von der Leyen 2 Commission.
Climate and Energy in the New EU Commission
The position once held by Frans Timmermans has been assigned to the Spaniard Teresa Ribera. The socialist politician and former Minister of Environment of Spain takes on the executive vice-presidency for a Clean, Fair, and Competitive Transition. The wording is not accidental. Ribera will oversee all energy and ecological transition policies of the 27 EU member states, with two key imperatives: ensuring no one is left behind (“fair”) and not demanding too much from European industry (“competitive”).
In addition to Teresa Ribera, there are three commissioners responsible for energy and climate:
- Wopke Hoekstra (Netherlands): Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero Emissions, and Clean Growth;
- Jessika Roswall (Sweden): Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Competitive Circular Economy;
- Dan Jørgensen (Denmark): Commissioner for Energy and Housing.
Jørgensen takes over from Kadri Simson, inheriting her energy-related responsibilities, along with new ones related to housing. He will handle housing issues, monitor the implementation of housing policies, and ensure cooperation among member states. He will be tasked with refining and implementing the emergency housing plan announced by von der Leyen in recent months.
“His work will contribute to lowering energy prices, investing in clean energy, and ensuring we reduce our dependencies. He will be the first-ever Commissioner for Housing, overseeing everything from energy efficiency to investments and construction,” explained the President of the new EU Commission.
Hoekstra has already held a similar role for several months, having replaced Timmermans after his departure to run in the Dutch elections. However, his responsibilities had been shared with Maroš Šefčovič.
“He will continue to work on implementation and adaptation, climate diplomacy, and decarbonization. He will also be responsible for taxation,” von der Leyen explained when presenting the new EU Commission.
Roswall inherits the portfolio from Latvian Virginijus Sinkevičius, who was Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries.
“She will have an important role in helping to preserve our environment and putting nature back on the agenda. She will help develop a more circular and competitive economy and will lead work on water resilience, which is a major priority in the coming years,” von der Leyen emphasized.
All the Names of the Commissioners of the Ursula von der Leyen 2 Executive
This is the complete structure of the College of Commissioners and Executive Vice-Presidents presented today by President Ursula von der Leyen, entering her second term.
Executive Vice-Presidents:
- Teresa Ribera (Spain): Clean, Fair, and Competitive Transition
- Henna Virkkunen (Finland): Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy
- Stéphane Séjourné (France): Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
- Kaja Kallas (Estonia): High Representative for Foreign Affairs
- Roxana Mînzatu (Romania): People, Skills, and Preparedness
- Raffaele Fitto (Italy): Cohesion and Reforms
Commissioners:
- Maroš Šefčovič: Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security (new portfolio, includes customs policy); Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
- Valdis Dombrovskis: Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Commissioner for Implementation and Simplification
- Dubravka Šuica: Commissioner for the Mediterranean (new portfolio), with responsibilities partly overlapping with High Representative for Foreign Policy Kallas (especially for the Southern Neighborhood)
- Olivér Várhely: Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare
- Wopke Hoekstra: Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero Emissions, and Clean Growth
- Andrius Kubilius: Commissioner for Defense and Space (new major portfolio)
- Marta Kos: Commissioner for Enlargement (also responsible for the Eastern Neighborhood and reconstruction in Ukraine)
- Jozef Síkela: Commissioner for International Partnerships (responsible for the Global Gateway)
- Costas Kadis: Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans (split from Roswall’s current portfolio)
- Maria Luís Albuquerque: Commissioner for Financial Services and the Union for Savings and Investments
- Hadja Lahbib: Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management (new portfolio, overseeing civil protection, crisis management, and humanitarian aid)
- Magnus Brunner: Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
- Jessika Roswall: Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Competitive Circular Economy
- Piotr Serafin: Commissioner for Budget, Fraud Prevention, and Public Administration
- Dan Jørgensen: Commissioner for Energy and Housing
- Ekaterina Zaharieva: Commissioner for Research and Innovation
- Michael McGrath: Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and Rule of Law
- Apostolos Tzitzikostas: Commissioner for Transport and Sustainable Tourism
- Christophe Hansen: Commissioner for Agriculture and Food (will inherit guidance from the Strategic Dialogue)
- Glenn Micallef: Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Culture, Youth, and Sports