VdL Unveils New Commissioners & Portfolio Distribution

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is unveiling her new College of Commissioners and the distribution of portfolios between the 26 commissioners. Livestream of presser can be found here. VdL says that the new Commission "will focus on prosperity, security, democracy against backdrop of needed competitiveness for green transition and digitalisation". VdL: "Commission needs to enhance cohesion in the EU".

• VdL: "Commission will be leaner with a more interlinked structure." The president says that there are 11 female nominees, equating to 40% of the Commission. This is up from 22% in the initial submissions.
• There are six 'executive vice presidents':
• France's Stephane Sejourne is Commissioner for Industrial Strategy (also taking on SMEs and single-market portfolio).
• Italy's Rafaele Fitto is Commissioner for EU Cohesion and Reforms (includes regional development and cities portfolios).
• Spain's Teresa Ribera is Commissioner for 'Clean, Just and Competitive Transition' (including the competition portfolio).
• Finland's Henna Birkkunen is Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
• As was already known, former Estonian PM Kaja Kallas is to be the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
• Romania's Roxana Minzatu is Commissioner for People, Skills and Preparedness.
• Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic to serve in the high-profile Trade and Economic Security portfolio and the Interinstitutional Relations portfolio. Latvia's Valdis Dombrovskis takes on the Economy and Productivity and Implementation and Simplification portfolios. While not exec VPs, both commissioners will report directly to VdL, highlighting their position as senior figures in the new Commission.
• Portugal's Maria Albuquerque will take on the Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union portfolio.