2023-07-21 15:23:25
July 21, 2023 Today at 5:22 PM
The premature departure of European Commission heavyweights Frans Timmermans and Margrethe Vestager is causing serious concern within the EU.
With the European elections approaching, the big maneuvers began in the staffs of the political parties. The renewal of the European Parliament will take place from June 6 to 9, 2024. In other words tomorrow, in political time. It will be followed by the appointment of a new European Commission, the composition of which is already fueling speculation.
The waltz of commissioners began with Bulgarian Mariya Gabriel (EPP, Christian Democrat), member of the European executive since 2017.
Until then, several EU member countries, such as the Netherlands, Poland and Finland, will also organize national elections. And some high-level positions, such as the presidency of the EIB, will have to be filled. This busy schedule leads to premature departures and turmoil within the European institutions.
The commissioners’ waltz began with la Bulgare Mariya Gabriel (EPP, Christian Democrat), member of the European executive since 2017. The Commissioner for Innovation resigned on May 15 to participate in the Bulgarian legislative elections. She has become Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Danish Margrethe Vestager (RE, liberal), patroness of Competition and terror of GAFAM, is emerging as a candidate for the head of the EIB. If the position falls to him, he would take office in January 2024, which would involve his departure from the Commission before the hour.
Full screen view The Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager. ©AFP
Vestager, who inspired the character of Borgen TV star Birgit Nyborg, has the ideal profile to lead the EIB. More her recent decision to nominate American Fiona Scott Morton as chief economist of DG Competition, challenged by the Elysée, would have somewhat reduced his chances.
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The temptation of Timmermans
The First Vice-President of the Commission and Grandmaster of the Green Deal, Dutchman Frans Timmermans (S&D, socialist), decided to try your luck on the national scene, in the November legislative elections. Buoyed by his popularity, he will seek the post of Prime Minister by pulling the PvdA/GroenLinks left and green combo list.
This announcement is concurrent with withdrawal of Mark Rutte (RE, liberal) from political life, another heavyweight on the European scene and record holder for longevity as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
Timmermans does not take risks. Rather than resign he will go on “leave” from the Commission. His competences will be divided between other Commissioners. If the post of Batavian Prime Minister escapes him, he will return to European affairs.
“Timmermans’ departure also means the departure of his tendency to antagonize people, which will make things easier for the Green Deal.”
Philippe Lamberts
European Greens Co-Chair
In European circles, this departure arouses concerns regarding the future of the Green Deal, one of the pillars of the program of this legislature. Some fear that the vacuum left by Timmermans weakens this policy, which has recently been undermined by the Christian Democrats. The person concerned affirms, on the contrary, that he will better defend the climate on the national scene.
“I have no problem with him running for another term. But the price to pay should be that he gives up his job as commissioner,” says the co-president of the Greens, Philippe Lamberts, one of the architects of the Green Deal. However, “the departure of Timmermans also means the departure of his tendency to antagonize peoplewhich will make things easier for the Green Deal,” he adds.
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The Lean Commission
“If the waltz of commissioners continues at this pace, it might weaken some EU policies.”
These premature departures raise questions, but they should not prevent the Commission, even relieved of these two heavyweights, from pursuing its mission. From the fight once morest the pandemic to the response to the war in Ukraine, this team has demonstrated its potential to face crises.
On the other hand, “if the waltz of the commissioners continues at this rate, this might undermine some EU policies“, says a European diplomat.
The future of the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (EPP), is also fueling the discussions. Its positive results should naturally lead to its renewal. Unless certain capitals, where the political balance would have changed, no longer support it. Which would push her to look at other positions, such as that of NATO secretary general.
Belgian side, these departures do not pose a problem in the eyes of the European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, because they are part of a well-established pattern, says a member of his cabinet. The liberal should clarify in September its intentions regarding the upcoming Belgian and European elections.
The summary
After the Bulgarian Mariya Gabriel, it is the turn of the First Vice-President of the European Commission, the Dutchman Frans Timmermans, to retire to try your luck in the national legislative elections. Added to this is the possible departure of Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager, candidate for the presidency of the EIB. turmoil in the european bubblebut, provided they do not multiply, they will not prevent the Commission from pursuing its mission.
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