European Council reappoints von der Leyen, confirms new team
The European Council on Thursday approved the composition of the new European Commission, which will once again be led by Ursula von der Leyen for the next five years. The decision, made a day after the vote in the European Parliament, concludes the process of selecting the new college. The new European Commission will start working on December 1st.
"The European Council today appointed by written procedure the European Commission for the period from December 1, 2024 to October 31, 2029," the Council announced in a Thursday statement. The heads of state and government who are part of the European Council decided on the composition of the European Commission by qualified majority, which means that support from 15 member countries was sufficient, making it essentially a formality.
In June, following the European elections, the European Council nominated von der Leyen as a candidate to head the European Commission for a second term. The European Parliament approved her selection in a July vote. The Council also proposed Kaja Kallas as a candidate for the head of EU diplomacy. By taking this position, the Estonian will automatically become a Vice-President of the European Commission.
An important portfolio
Von der Leyen proposed the other Commission members based on the nominations sent by 25 capitals. Then, 26 candidates underwent hearings before European Parliament committees.
None of them were rejected, but the portfolio of the Hungarian Commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi, who is to be responsible for animal health and welfare, was reduced by removing reproductive rights. On Wednesday, the European Parliament formally endorsed the entire composition of the Commission through a vote.
Before taking office, the commissioners will still have to take an oath.
