On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the composition of the new European Commission. The new commissioners will take office on December 1st. For the first time, the group includes commissioners in charge of housing and defense. The start of the second European Commission term under Ursula von der Leyen is merely a month ahead of the commencement of the Polish presidency in the EU Council. Therefore, Poland will have an influence on the bilateral cooperation between these two institutions.
In Wednesday’s voting, 370 Members of the European Parliament voted in favor of the new European Commission’s composition, 282 against, and 36 abstained. During her speech at the plenary session, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced her team and outlined her vision for Europe over the next five years. She announced that the new EC’s first initiative would be the Competitiveness Compass, aiming to bridge the innovation gap in Europe compared to the USA and China, increase security and independence, and to achieve decarbonization.
“The new European Commission has for the first time so many tasks related to, for instance, the global situation. For the first time, we are in a situation where there is a war abroad. Thus, one of the primary tasks is defense, strengthening Europe as a player when it comes to issues related to the situation in Ukraine,” said Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, a Member of the European Parliament from the Nowa Lewica party.
Amid ongoing wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, Ursula von der Leyen stated that she would seek to increase Europe’s role while also strengthening internal security. She called on member countries to spend more on defense.
Another geopolitical challenge is the change in the presidency in the United States. The MEP emphasizes that it is crucial that the European Union remains united.
“I don’t know if that will be possible since we have more extreme right-wing and radical movements in the European Parliament, so it will be a difficult term,” says Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus. The proposed college of commissioners was assessed by MEPs during special public hearings held in the first half of November. Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the experience and diversity of the new commissioners, among whom are former prime ministers, ministers, local officials, directors-general, and journalists, coming from different backgrounds and belonging to different generations. Among the new functions, for the first time, a commissioner for defense and space was included, assumed by Lithuanian Andrius Kubilius.
“In the situation we are in now, when there is a war, this is an essential function. I hope that this commissioner will be effective in his actions,” says Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus.
The official body of commissioners will start their term on December 1st. Therefore, the beginning of their work will coincide with the Polish presidency in the EU Council, starting on January 1st, 2025. According to experts, this is an opportunity for Poland to influence the new Commission’s work in vital areas.
“The Polish presidency will be particularly critical, especially since we are thankfully nearing the end of the Hungarian presidency. But everyone is looking at this Polish presidency, I’m holding my thumbs up for it, especially of housing”, the MEP added.
