Von der Leyen reveals new team of European commissioners

BRUSSELS, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) — The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday revealed the proposed structure of the new European Commission, which is expected to be confirmed by the European Parliament for a five-year term in the coming months.
“Together, we have defined core priorities. They are built around prosperity, security, democracy,” von der Leyen announced during a news conference.
She said women represented 40 percent of the 27 commissioners and the commission will have six executive vice-presidents, of which four are women.
The vice-presidents include Teresa Ribera of Spain, Henna Virkkunen of Finland, Raffaele Fitto of Italy, Roxana Minzatu of Romania, Stephane Sojourne of France and Kaja Kallas of Estonia.
Von der Leyen also addressed the pending nomination of Slovenia’s former diplomat, Marta Kos, as the next commissioner. Although the procedure is not yet finalized, Kos is proposed to oversee EU enlargement and relations with Eastern neighbors, including the support of Ukraine.
“The key message is that wherever we come from, whatever our job title: we must all work together. We will have open debates. We will all be independent in thought and action,” von der Leyen said. ■