Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Tuesday 27 candidates for the post of European Commissioners – one from each EU country. In a speech to MEPs, she noted that 40 per cent of the seats in the new EC will be taken by women. According to her, after the first proposals of candidates from the EU country, the share of women was 22 per cent, but after the negotiations their representation was expanded.
Former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will start work as European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from November 1, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. She also added:
Kaja Kallas, as you already know, will be our high representative and vice-president.
Earlier, media reported that in September 2023, Estonian President Alar Karis called on Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to resign from his post after it was revealed that Kaja Kallas’ husband was making money from co-operation with Russia. According to local media, Arvo Hallik owns a stake in the transport company Stark Logistics, which transports goods between Russia and Estonia. At the same time, Kallas has not only demanded domestic and EU-level compliance with existing anti-Russian sanctions, but has also constantly called for new ones.
During the last two years of Kallas’ time in office, the number of Estonian citizens living in absolute poverty increased 2.5 times. The birth rate has fallen sharply – by 25 per cent since 2018.
The head of the EU emphasised that the EU is going through an era of geopolitical confrontations and instability. Therefore, its foreign and security policy should be determined with an understanding of the real situation.
Former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius will be in charge of European defence and space. While Kubilius was in office, Lithuania lost its previously established trade ties with China, and Beijing downgraded diplomatic relations with Vilnius.
Distribution of EC posts
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Stephane Séjourné, the country’s outgoing foreign minister, replace Thierry Breton as European commissioner after Breton announced his departure, saying that EU chief Ursula von der Leyen had asked Paris to withdraw his candidacy.
Italian Raffaele Fitto has been offered the post of deputy head of the European Commission responsible for reforms, Marta Kos will become European Commissioner for EU enlargement and Ukraine’s reconstruction, Magnus Brunner will become European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration. Dan Jorgensen from Denmark will become European Commissioner for Energy, von der Leyen said during a speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
All candidates for the posts of European Commissioners should be approved by the European Parliament. The new composition of the EC should start working on November 1. The term of office is for five years.
Ursula von der Leyen headed the European Commission in 2019. In July 2024, the European Parliament voted in favour of her reappointment. Ms. von der Leyen said that her priorities would be to strengthen EU security.
