Inquiry into New Commission Members: Fitness for Advancing Electromobility Technologies?
The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, has unveiled its new lineup for the upcoming five-year term. Led by the re-elected President, Ursula Von der Leyen, the Commission will be comprised of 26 members, including five Executive Vice-Presidents.
One of the key appointments is Teresa Ribera, currently the Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge in Spain. She will transition to the role of Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean Transition. Ribera, a fundamental advocate for electromobility in Europe, has been a key figure in the fight against climate change and has driven regulations such as the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law. Under her leadership, decarbonization initiatives like the National Energy and Climate Plan have been implemented in Spain.
In the transport sector, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Governor of Central Macedonia, has been appointed to lead the Transport and Tourism portfolio. Tzitzikostas will drive the development of necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) and contribute to the European Union's climate goals. He will be responsible for managing transport policies and integrating electric mobility solutions into public and private transport systems.
The push for sustainable transportation extends to Jozef Síkela, the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, who is set to become the Commissioner for International Partnerships. Síkela has become a central figure in the push for sustainable transportation, with a strong focus on the promotion of electromobility. He will lead the work on the Global Gateway, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships that invest in a shared future.
Maroš Šefčovič, a seasoned Slovak diplomat and prominent figure in EU policymaking, has been appointed to a dual role as Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency. His expertise in fostering economic growth and navigating complex EU negotiations makes him particularly well-suited for these roles. Šefčovič played a vital part in securing a one-off extension until 2026 for the current rules regarding EU-UK rules of origin for electric vehicles and batteries. He also announced 3 billion euros in financial support to boost Europe's sustainable battery production.
Other notable appointments include Valdis Dombrovskis handling Economy, Productivity, and Simplification, Dubravka Šuica responsible for Mediterranean affairs, and Olivér Várhelyi leading Health and Animal Welfare. Marta Kos has been nominated for Enlargement, Costas Kadis oversees Fisheries and Oceans, and Maria Luís Albuquerque will lead Financial Services.
In the arena of climate action, Dan Jørgensen will lead Energy and Housing, Ekaterina Zaharieva focuses on Research and Innovation, Michael McGrath manages Democracy and Rule of Law, and Christophe Hansen will be in charge of Agriculture and Food. Glenn Micallef will oversee Intergenerational Fairness, Culture, and Youth, while Hadja Lahbib focuses on Crisis Management, Magnus Brunner will manage Internal Affairs and Migration, Jessika Roswall will handle Environment and Circular Economy, and Piotr Serafin will oversee Budget and Public Administration.
The new European Commission is poised to tackle pressing issues with a focus on climate change, sustainable transportation, and economic growth. With a diverse set of skills and expertise, the Commission is well-equipped to navigate the challenges ahead and shape the future of Europe.
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