Two Commission officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity, mentioned that alternative models are being considered for merging departments.
By the end of 2026, the EU executive plans to remove “unnecessary processes” and promote “more collaborative working,” following a comprehensive assessment of responsibilities. An external high-level group will be formed this autumn to advise on the process, with the review expected by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
POLITICO requested clarification from the Commission on these plans, but the Spokespersons’ Service typically does not comment on leaks.
The Commission, responsible for most of the EU’s day-to-day administrative tasks, employs around 32,000 people involved in all areas of the bureaucracy.
Since taking office in 2019, von der Leyen has aimed to streamline decision-making and centralize control at her Berlaymont headquarters, ensuring faster EU responses to events and crises, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Serafin was initially tasked with conducting the review upon taking the role at the start of the new term last year. Former Commission secretary-general, Irish official Catherine Day, was appointed as a special advisor to assist in overseeing the process.
Recently, the Commission’s complexity has increased, with responsibilities for key policies spanning traditional directorates-general and the central secretariat-general under von der Leyen’s control.
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