European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday the appointment of Spain’s Ecological Transition Minister, Teresa Ribera, as the European Union’s next antitrust commissioner. Estonia’s Kaja Kallas will oversee foreign policy for the bloc. Additionally, Lithuania’s Andrius Kubilius has been appointed as the EU’s first defense commissioner, a newly established role aimed at enhancing European military manufacturing capacity in response to Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.
Other key appointments include French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, who will be responsible for industrial strategy, and Slovakia’s Maros Sefcovic, who will manage trade policies.
The European Commission, comprising 27 member states, is the EU’s most influential institution with the authority to propose new laws, block corporate mergers, and negotiate free trade agreements. Each member state holds one seat on the Commission, akin to a cabinet ministry, though the impact varies significantly based on the assigned portfolio.
All nominees will undergo hearings with European Parliament lawmakers, who must approve their appointments.
Teresa Ribera is set to replace Denmark’s longstanding antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager, known for her efforts to ensure fair competition within Big Tech platforms. Ribera will also be responsible for handling the EU’s position on foreign subsidies, a pressing issue given the competitive pressures from abroad, particularly China, in key sectors like electric vehicles and energy production.
All commissioners will report to Ursula von der Leyen, who was reappointed for a second term as EU chief executive by member states following her political faction’s success in EU elections.
The new EU Commission is anticipated to assume office by the end of the year, with one of its initial major tasks being to address the results of the U.S. presidential election in November. A potential second term for President Trump could significantly impact Western unity in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion and might disrupt EU trade relationships with the United States.
An unexpected development occurred on Monday concerning the Commission’s roster. France appointed Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne as its new candidate after the resignation of Thierry Breton, who stepped down with strong criticism of von der Leyen.
