Andrius Kubelius of Lithuania nominated as the first defense commissioner of the European Union

On Tuesday, Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, announced her team that will steer the EU’s most influential institution over the next five years. This team is strategically assembled to address pressing issues such as climate change, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the increasing influence of China.

Andrius Kubilius from Lithuania has been appointed as the European Union’s inaugural defense commissioner, a position aimed at enhancing the bloc’s military production capabilities in response to Russian threats along its eastern border.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Energy and Environment Minister, Teresa Ribera, will take on the role of the next antitrust commissioner, overseeing a “clean, just, and competitive transition.” Von der Leyen emphasized that Ribera will lead efforts to ensure Europe meets its objectives outlined in the European Green Deal, balancing decarbonization with industrial growth. “Climate change serves as the primary context for all our initiatives,” von der Leyen remarked.

However, she noted that, in contrast to her previous term, the issues of security—prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine—and competitiveness have significantly influenced the formation and focus of her new team. The European Commission holds the authority to propose new EU legislation, prevent corporate mergers, and negotiate free trade agreements. Each of the 27 member states in the bloc is represented at the Commission, akin to a government minister, although the political influence of each role can vary considerably based on the specific portfolio.

The list of EU Commissioners features notable figures such as French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, who will be responsible for industrial strategy, and Slovakia’s Maros Sefcovic, who will manage trade policies. Estonia’s Kaja Kallas is set to lead foreign policy initiatives. Poland’s Piotr Serafin has been appointed to the significant role of overseeing the EU’s budget. All candidates are required to participate in hearings with European Parliament lawmakers, who must approve their nominations.

In the realm of competitiveness, Spain’s ecological transition minister, Ribera, will take on the challenge of succeeding Denmark’s long-serving antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, who has intensified scrutiny on Big Tech to enhance competition within their platforms. Ribera will also be responsible for the EU’s approach to foreign subsidies, a pressing issue as key sectors like electric vehicles and energy production face challenges from low-cost competition, particularly from China.

All commissioners will report to German conservative Ursula von der Leyen, who was reappointed for a second term as EU chief executive this summer after her political group secured the most votes in the EU elections.

The new EU Commission is anticipated to commence its duties by the end of the year, with one of its initial responsibilities being to navigate the implications of the U.S. presidential election in November. A potential second term for Donald Trump could significantly impact Western unity in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s aggression and disrupt EU trade relations with the United States.

Von der Leyen’s proposed Commission team includes 11 women, falling short of her gender balance goals. She noted that the situation was even less favorable before her negotiations with member states led to the nomination of additional women for these positions.

Each new commissioner will undergo a hearing in the European Parliament in the coming weeks, where EU lawmakers will seek commitments from the nominees regarding their future contributions if appointed.

The European Parliament has the authority to reject nominees from the Commission, with Hungary’s Oliver Varhelyi anticipated to face scrutiny during his confirmation hearing.

On Monday, there was notable tension regarding the upcoming Commission appointments, as France selected Sejourne as its new candidate following the unexpected resignation of Thierry Breton, who left with strong criticisms directed at von der Leyen.