Ursula von der Leyen is expected to unveil the European Commission’s new composition next Wednesday, September 11.
The announcement comes after weeks of deliberation, with the final candidate submissions reflecting a mixture of political strategy and ongoing negotiations.
Belgium was the last country to submit its nominee for a commissioner position, naming Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib.
The delay in Belgium’s decision was largely due to its failure to form a new government following June elections, raising concerns over whether the outgoing administration should make such a significant appointment. Lahbib emerged as a compromise candidate among the parties still attempting to shape the future government.
Poland has put forward Piotr Serafin, currently the nation’s representative to the EU, for the role of Commissioner for Budget and Administration. Serafin’s possible appointment is expected to bring experience and continuity to the Commission, especially given the complex budgetary challenges ahead.
Of the 27 EU member states that have submitted their nominations to von der Leyen, only Bulgaria complied with the president’s request to propose both a male and a female candidate.
Belgium was the last country to submit its nominee for a commissioner position, naming Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib.
The delay in Belgium’s decision was largely due to its failure to form a new government following June elections, raising concerns over whether the outgoing administration should make such a significant appointment. Lahbib emerged as a compromise candidate among the parties still attempting to shape the future government.
Poland has put forward Piotr Serafin, currently the nation’s representative to the EU, for the role of Commissioner for Budget and Administration. Serafin’s possible appointment is expected to bring experience and continuity to the Commission, especially given the complex budgetary challenges ahead.
Of the 27 EU member states that have submitted their nominations to von der Leyen, only Bulgaria complied with the president’s request to propose both a male and a female candidate.
The Commission president has been a staunch advocate for gender parity in the new Commission, a goal that remains challenging given the current pool of nominees. Alongside Belgium, female candidates have also been proposed by Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and, as of today, Romania, which switched its candidate to a woman.
Despite these efforts, the number of female candidates remains insufficient to achieve gender parity. When asked about this issue, Commission spokeswoman Arianna Podesta refrained from providing specific details, stating, “The process of building the Commission is ongoing; we will provide details in due course.”
According to unofficial sources, von der Leyen is exerting pressure on several member states to reconsider their nominations in favor of female candidates. “The president has clearly stated that her ambition is to ensure gender parity and is doing everything in her power to achieve it,” Podesta said, though she did not confirm which countries were being asked to reconsider their candidates. Malta is rumored to be one of the nations under pressure here.
Despite these efforts, the number of female candidates remains insufficient to achieve gender parity. When asked about this issue, Commission spokeswoman Arianna Podesta refrained from providing specific details, stating, “The process of building the Commission is ongoing; we will provide details in due course.”
According to unofficial sources, von der Leyen is exerting pressure on several member states to reconsider their nominations in favor of female candidates. “The president has clearly stated that her ambition is to ensure gender parity and is doing everything in her power to achieve it,” Podesta said, though she did not confirm which countries were being asked to reconsider their candidates. Malta is rumored to be one of the nations under pressure here.
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