Von der Leyen’s Second Term Set to Begin on December 1

Since September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has carefully organized her team of 26 commissioners (each representing one of the EU’s 27 member states; she herself is Germany’s representative) to strengthen her control over the Commission and the EU’s policymaking. Among this group, she appointed six executive vice presidents—Kaja Kallas from Estonia, Raffaele Fitto from Italy, Roxana Mînzatu from Romania, Stéphane Séjourné from France, Teresa Ribera from Spain, and Henna Virkkunen from Finland—to supervise and coordinate the work of the other commissioners.

Notably, her inner circle included Italy’s right-wing Minister of EU Affairs, Raffaele Fitto, a decision that stirred concern within the European Parliament’s second-largest political group, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D). They condemned von der Leyen’s center-right European People’s Party (EPP) for granting such a prominent role to a figure from the political right. In response, the EPP hinted at retaliation, suggesting they might target the Socialists’ own Teresa Ribera, potentially destabilizing her position.

In the end, the EPP’s show of strength prevailed. Despite initial protest from the S&D, they ultimately relented, allowing von der Leyen’s team to proceed as planned, clearing the way for a December 1 start. Under the arrangement, Ribera will assume the role of the Commission’s de facto No. 2, overseeing competition and climate policy.

“Everyone has a considerable stake in Europe’s future,” EPP leader Manfred Weber declared following the agreement. “The Socialists have secured key portfolios, the Liberals have their influence, and the EPP leads with numerous commissioners. It’s essential that Italy also play an integral part in the Commission’s leadership.”

This newly formed Commission reflects the EU’s shift to the right, a political trend that emerged from June’s European elections. In these elections, the right and far-right saw gains in crucial member states like Italy, France, and Germany. The EPP and von der Leyen, backed by 14 commissioners, remain dominant while continuing to broker deals with parties on both sides of the political spectrum.

“It was all a bluff by the EPP,” remarked Greens lawmaker Thomas Waitz, who also chairs the European Green Party, discussing the threats posed to Ribera’s role. “However, it seems they successfully convinced the Social Democrats that risking the entire Commission’s stability was a viable option just to oppose Madame Ribera’s appointment.”