The European Union's member states have until August 30 to propose their candidates for the EU executive. With Ursula von der Leyen recently securing her second term as President of the European Commission, attention now turns to the individuals who will occupy the key commissioner roles and shape EU policy over the next five years.
Germany
Confirmed: Ursula von der Leyen.
Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as President of the European Commission. She will now appoint a team of commissioners, each tasked with specific policy areas.
Austria
Potential Candidates: Magnus Brunner, Karoline Edtstadler, Othmar Karas.
The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) is favoring current Finance Minister Magnus Brunner and EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler. The Greens propose Othmar Karas as a compromise. Austria might receive the agriculture portfolio, aligning with von der Leyen's party interests.
Belgium
Potential Candidates: Didier Reynders, Sophie Wilmès, Frank Vandenbroucke.
Following federal elections, Belgium's EU commissioner could emerge from coalition talks. Didier Reynders and Sophie Wilmès from the Reformist Movement (MR) and Frank Vandenbroucke from Vooruit are top contenders. Portfolio allocations might depend on the candidate’s expertise, such as economic, foreign affairs, or health.
Bulgaria
Current Commissioner: Iliana Ivanova.
Bulgaria faces a political crisis, delaying discussions on the EU commissioner. Iliana Ivanova currently holds the position focusing on innovation, research, culture, education, and youth.
Croatia
Likely Candidate: Dubravka Šuica.
Dubravka Šuica is expected to continue, potentially shifting to a health or housing portfolio.
Cyprus
Potential Candidate: Unknown.
Cyprus is interested in the newly announced Commissioner for the Mediterranean. The current commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, will not return.
Czechia
Prime Minister Petr Fiala has confirmed Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela as the candidate. Síkela might secure the energy or trade portfolio due to his negotiation skills.
Denmark
Potential Candidate: Dan Jørgensen.
Socialist Dan Jørgensen is a strong contender for a climate-linked portfolio, given his background in global climate policy.
Estonia
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has been nominated as the EU’s top diplomat, though confirmation by the European Parliament is pending.
Finland
Confirmed Candidate: Henna Virkkunen.
MEP Henna Virkkunen has been nominated, with security and competitiveness as likely priorities.
France
Confirmed Candidate: Thierry Breton.
President Emmanuel Macron intends to re-nominate Thierry Breton. A political shift in France could change this, but Breton is favored for the internal market role.
Greece
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is considering Margaritis Schinas and Apostolos Tzitzikostas, with an economic or defense portfolio likely.
Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán plans to reappoint Oliver Várhelyi. Hungary hopes to retain the enlargement portfolio.
Ireland
Confirmed Candidate: Michael McGrath.
Michael McGrath, former Minister for Finance, is Ireland's nominee, aiming for an economic-focused portfolio.
Italy
Potential Candidates: Raffaele Fitto, Elisabetta Belloni.
Raffaele Fitto and Elisabetta Belloni are in contention. Italy is eyeing a portfolio including cohesion policy or industry.
Latvia
Confirmed Candidate: Valdis Dombrovskis.
Valdis Dombrovskis is reappointed, likely seeking an economic or security-related portfolio.
Lithuania
Potential Candidate: Gabrielius Landsbergis.
Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis might pursue an external-facing role like enlargement or defense.
Luxembourg
Potential Candidate: Christophe Hansen.
Christophe Hansen is the favored candidate, with agriculture or employment and social affairs as potential portfolios.
Malta
Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed Glenn Micallef, aiming to avoid choosing someone from his government due to ongoing trials.
Netherlands
Confirmed Candidate: Wopke Hoekstra.
Wopke Hoekstra is reappointed, with finance, trade, or economics as likely areas of focus.
Poland
Potential Candidates: Radosław Sikorski, Piotr Serafin.
Poland’s candidate might focus on defense or energy policy, with Radosław Sikorski and Piotr Serafin as potential nominees.
Portugal
Potential Candidate: Miguel Poiares Maduro.
Miguel Poiares Maduro is tipped for a research, innovation, and science role, possibly agriculture.
Romania
Potential Candidates: Siegfried Mureşan, Mihai Tudose.
Siegfried Mureşan and Mihai Tudose are under consideration. An economic portfolio is a priority.
Slovakia
Confirmed Candidate: Maroš Šefčovič.
Maroš Šefčovič is reappointed, aiming for a prominent economic portfolio.
Slovenia
Confirmed Candidate: Tomaž Vesel.
Tomaž Vesel will represent Slovenia, with preferences for democracy, competition, budget, or financial services.
Spain
Confirmed Candidate: Teresa Ribera.
Teresa Ribera is Spain’s nominee, targeting a vice-presidency responsible for the Green Deal, energy, and environment.
Sweden
Confirmed Candidate: Jessika Roswall.
Jessika Roswall is nominated, focusing on issues like Ukraine, competitiveness, climate, and crime.
As the deadline approaches, these candidates will undergo thorough scrutiny by the European Parliament before taking on their roles in shaping the EU’s future policies.
Source: Euronews
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