Politico: The Commission’s key portfolios – Closer to Cohesion

The distribution of portfolios to the next is at the heart of the negotiation between member countries with the president being asked to announce the final decisions on the portfolios of new commissioners over the next few days. Ursula von der Leien Committee chairman is due to announce next week which of the 26 prospective commissioners will take what position in her second term. It is a complicated puzzle, as quoted in its extensive report, as Von der Leien balance between factors such as gender, political representation and geography, while national leaders and candidates sent to Brussels struggle to secure a strong position. The talks are mainly held behind closed doors, but also in public, with the aim of exerting pressure on the president and her team. The process, although complex, is crucial for determining the EU’s political direction in the coming years. The main priorities for the next five years will include strengthening competitiveness , defence and enlargement of the EU. Portfolios relating to the management of EU funds, such as budget and financial stability, are particularly desirable from the Member States’ capitals. The main challengers are Greece, which with him hopes to receive that of Cohesion, writes Politico in a report. Economy Names claiming portfolio: Raffaele Fitto, Magnus Brunner, Tomaž Vesel, Piotr Serafin, Michael McGrath, Josef Síkela, Maria Luis Albuquerque, Wopke Hoekstra The Economy portfolio is one of the most sought after, as it includes budget and financial services issues. Italy, through Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, promotes Raffaele Fitto, a member of the Italy Brothers Party. Austrian Finance Minister, Magnus Brunner, is also among the contenders, like Irish Michael McGrath and former Portuguese Finance Minister, Maria Luís Albuquerque. Polish Piotr Serafin, who was a close associate of Donald Tusk, claims the budget portfolio, while Slovenia’s Tomaž Vesel seeks an economic portfolio, especially in budgetary management and public procurement matters. Wopke Hoekstra, a former Dutch Finance Minister, with a reputation for his harsh fiscal stance, also wants to take a role in the economy, while he is known for his harsh stance against countries that do not comply with EU spending rules. Defense Names claiming portfolio: Valdis Dombrovskis, Thierry Breton Valdis Dombrovskis, vice president of the outgoing Commission, is nominated for the Defence portfolio, while Frenchman, Thierry Breton, who had competence for the defence industry, wants a promotion. Georgia Names claiming portfolio: Christophe Hansen, Wopke Hoekstra, Costas Kadis Luxembourgian Christophe Hansen, who comes from a rural family and has experience in the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, claims the portfolio. Dutch Wopke Hoekstra , despite having more chances of taking over the portfolio of trade, remains a contender. Cypriot former Minister of Agriculture Costas Kadis is also interested in this portfolio, and is also promoted for the new portfolio of the Mediterranean. Trade Names claiming portfolio: Wopke Hoekstra, Jessica Roswall, Michael McGrath The portfolio of trade is less sought after than other times, as Von der Leien has downgraded trade policy than economic priorities. Wopke Hoekstra is considered the favourite for this portfolio, while Sweden promotes Jessica Roswall, who had served as trade commissioner in 2014–2019. Michael McGrath from Ireland is also nominated for the portfolio, but choosing another Irish commissioner after the “Golfgate” scandal can be considered difficult. Technology Names claiming portfolio: Henna Virkkunen, Maria Luís Albuquerque Finnish Henna Virkkunen seems the most suitable candidate for the technology or innovation portfolio, as she has considerable experience in digital policy and research issues. Portuguese Maria Luís Albuquerque has also been associated with the technology portfolio, since her country has a history of taking over this sector. Energy and Climate Names claiming portfolio: Josef Síkela, Julian Popov, Dan Jørgensen, Teresa Ribera The energy and climate portfolio will play a decisive role in the coming years, especially after the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. Czech Minister for Industry and Trade, Josef Síkela, is one of the prevailing candidates, as the Czech Republic played a central role in managing the EU energy crisis. Julian Popov from Bulgaria, who had been Minister of the Environment, is also a candidate, but the fact that his country has already proposed two candidates (a man and a woman) reduces its chances. Denmark promotes Dan Jørgensen, while Spanish Teresa Ribera is considered a strong choice, despite being a skeptic against nuclear energy. Enlargement Names claiming the portfolio: Valdis Dombrovskis, Olivér Várhelyi Latvian Valdis Dombrovskis is one of the candidates, while Hungary wants to maintain the portfolio, promoting Olivér Várhelyi, despite the reactions caused by Budapest’s stance on enlargement. Consistency Names claiming portfolio: Roxana Mînzatsu, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Ekaterina Zaharieva The Cohesion portfolio, although not one of the brightest, remains one of the most important, as it controls one third of the EU budget. The Greek Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the regional leader of Central Macedonia, claims the portfolio, as he has much experience in managing EU funds. Bulgarian Ekaterina Zaharieva, former Foreign Minister, also claims the portfolio, while Romanian Roxana Mînzatu, former minister of the European Funds, is considered appropriate for this position.