THE TOP 8 OF THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Based on President-elect von der Leyen’s Mission Letters

1. Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal (Frans Timmermans)

Mission

The Executive Vice-President has a dual function. He sets the strategic direction and chair the Commissioners’ Group on the European Green Deal. In addition, he is responsible for the climate action portfolio. In leading the work on the European Green Deal, he ensures all policy dimensions are fully taken into account.

• Leads the work on the European Green Deal, which should be presented in the first 100 days of the EC mandate.
• Leads international negotiations to increase the level of ambition of other major emitters by 2021. By then, he should put forward a comprehensive plan to increase the EU’s target for 2030 towards 55% in a responsible way. This must be based on social, economic and environmental impact assessments that ensure a level playing field and stimulate competitiveness.
• The European Green Deal can only work if it brings people along and supports the most affected, such as those in industrial, coal and energy intensive regions. In this spirit, he coordinates the work on the new Just Transition Fund.
• Europe must lead the world when it comes to protecting our biodiversity. Ensures biodiversity priorities across all policy areas are mainstreamed, notably trade, industry, agriculture and maritime affairs. To do this, he coordinates the work on the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
• Responsible for coordinating the Commission’s work on zero pollution ambition. This requires a wide-ranging approach looking at air, water, and noise pollution from transport, agriculture and food production, water quality, hazardous chemicals and other key areas.
• Coordinates the work on reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector and ensuring the blue economy contributes to decarbonisation.
• Coordinates the  work on the circular economy, as well as on the new ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy for sustainable food. This covers every step in the food chain from production to consumption, looking at consumer information, food safety, animal and plant health, fisheries and the agri-food sector.
• Ensures that tax policies can deliver on climate ambitions. This will include the work on the Carbon Border Tax, as well as the review of the Energy Taxation Directive. Cutting across all of the above issues is the need to focus on enforcement and implementation of legislation on climate, energy, environment and all other relevant policies.

Climate action

As lead for the climate portfolio, the task will be to firm up EU long-term climate-neutral commitment, ensure that all the tools at our disposal are used and work on climate awareness and behaviour change.

• In the first 100 days in office, propose the first European Climate Law to enshrine the 2050 climate-neutrality target into legislation.
• Ensures the implementation of the legislative instruments on climate, namely the Emissions Trading System, the Effort Sharing Regulation and the regulation on land use, land-use change and forestry.
• Focus on instilling a new climate culture in Europe. The umbrella for this should be a new European Climate Pact — bringing together regions, local communities, civil society, industry and schools. Together they will design and commit to a set of pledges to change behaviours across our society.

The Executive Vice President works under the guidance of the President of the European Commission. The Secretariat-General supports him in coordination tasks on the European Green Deal. For the work on the climate portfolio, the Directorate-General for Climate Action supports him.

2. Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People (Valdis Dombrovskis)

Mission

The Executive Vice-President has a dual function. He chairs the Commissioners’ Group on an Economy that Works for People, leads the work on deepening the  Economic and Monetary Union. He is also be responsible for the financial services portfolio.

• Takes the overall lead on building a future-ready economy that works for people and delivers stability, jobs, growth and investment.
• Coordinates the work on the action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights.
• Prioritises the relationship with the social partners and leads the work on strengthening the role of social dialogue at European level. Helps prepare the Tripartite Social Summit.  
• Ensures that economic policy supports wider societal and environmental goals. Leads the work on refocusing the European Semester so that it integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Strengthens the democratic accountability of economic governance. Ensures the Commission comes to the European Parliament before each key stage of the European Semester cycle.
• Ensures maximization of the impact of EU investment to support industry and help deliver on EU’s core priorities. Coordinates the work on the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, which should unlock €1 trillion of climate-related investment over the next decade.
• In charge of relations with the European Investment Bank, helping to turn parts of it into Europe’s climate bank. By 2025, half of its total financing should be dedicated to climate investment.
• Works with the Executive Vice-President for European in a Digital Age, jointly  leads work on a new long-term strategy for Europe’s industrial future. Also co-leads the SME strategy, notably to help improve its access to finance.
• Leads the work on strengthening the role of the euro as a strategic asset for the Union. This will include increasing the global use of the euro for payments, as a reserve currency and for debt issuance.
• Coordinates efforts to ensure a level playing field in EU economic relations with other partners, promoting Europe’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy in key value chains. In doing so, pays  particular attention to EU  trade and economic relations with EU competitors and strategic partners.
• Coordinates the work on supporting Member States’ structural reforms aimed at speeding up inclusive growth and territorial cohesion. As part of this,  also coordinates the work on delivering a Budgetary Instrument for Convergence and Competitiveness in the euro area. Manages and coordinates the participation of the Commission in the ‘Economic and Financial Affairs’ Council configuration, in the Eurogroup, in the economic dialogue with the European Parliament, in the Macroeconomic Dialogue and in the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. Also contributes to the exercise of the Commission’s responsibilities in the external representation of the euro area.

Financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union

• Task over the next five years will be to preserve and improve financial stability, protect savers and investors and ensure the flow of capital to where it is needed.
• Completing the Banking Union, notably by finalising the common backstop to the Single Resolution Fund and agreeing on a European Deposit Insurance Scheme.
• Speeding up the work towards a Capital Markets Union to diversify sources of finance for companies and tackling the barriers to the flow of capital. Exploring ways to make cross-border investments easier, to improve the supervisory system and to better harmonise insolvency and tax proceedings.
• Developing a green financing strategy to ensure that we can direct investment and financing to the transition to a climate-neutral economy. Working with our partners to lead global efforts to scale up sustainable financing.
• Puts forward a FinTech Strategy to support new digital technologies in our financial system.
• As part of our SME strategy, develop a new private–public fund specialising in initial public offerings for SMEs.
• Puts forward a new, comprehensive approach to fighting money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. This should focus on better enforcement of legislation, better supervision, adapting to risks linked to new technologies and a stronger role in setting international standards.
• Ensuring a common approach with Member States on cryptocurrencies to ensure we understand how to make the most of the opportunities they create and address the new risks they may pose.
• Developing proposals to ensure Europe is more resilient to extraterritorial sanctions by third countries. Ensure that the sanctions imposed by the EU are properly enforced, notably throughout its financial system.

The Executive Vice President works under the guidance of the President of the European Commission. The Secretariat-General supports him in his coordination tasks on an Economy that Works for People. For tasks linked to the financial services portfolio, the Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union support him in his work.

3. Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age (Margrethe Vestager)

Mission

The Executive Vice-President has a dual function. She chairs the Commissioners’ Group on a Europe fit for the Digital Age. In addition, she will be responsible for the competition portfolio. In leading the work on a Europe fit for the Digital Age, she ensures all policy dimensions are fully taken into account.

A Europe fit for the digital age

• Ensures that Europe fully grasps the potential of the digital age and strengthens its industry and innovation capacity. Co-leads work on a new long-term strategy for Europe’s industrial future, working together with the Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People. Works  with the Member States and involves businesses of all sizes. Maximises the contribution of investment in research and innovation in supporting policy objectives.
• Ensures cross-fertilisation between civil, defence and space industries.
• Co-leads the work on a new SME strategy, working together with the Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People. This should focus on supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups, notably by reducing the regulatory burden and enabling them to make the most of digitisation.
• In the first 100 days of our mandate, coordinates the work on a European approach on artificial intelligence, including its human and ethical implications. This should also look at how we can use and share non-personalised big data to develop new technologies and business models that create wealth for our societies and our businesses.
• Coordinates the work on upgrading our liability and safety rules for digital platforms, services and products as part of a new Digital Services Act. In this context, ensures the working conditions of platform workers are addressed.
• Coordinates the work on digital taxation to find a consensus at international level by the end of 2020 or to propose a fair European tax.
• Over the next five years, ensures competition policy and rules are fit for the modern economy, vigorously enforced and contribute to a strong European industry at home and in the world.
• Focus on strengthening competition enforcement in all sectors. Focus on improving case detection, speeding up investigations and facilitating cooperation with and between national competition authorities. Also actively contributes to stronger global cooperation among competition authorities.
• Evaluates and reviews Europe’s competition rules. This will cover the antitrust regulations that will expire in the course of the mandate, the ongoing evaluation of merger control and the review of State aid rules and guidance.
• Considers in the first part of mandate, using the tool of sector inquiries into new and emerging markets that are shaping our economy and society.
• Works with the Member States to make the most of Important Projects of Common European Interest.
• Develops tools and policies to better tackle the distortive effects of foreign state ownership and subsidies in the internal market.
• Proactively shares any relevant general market knowledge within the Commission, notably in the digital sector. This will help ensure new legislative proposals contribute to fair and open competition in the single market and support evidence-based policymaking.

The Executive Vice President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age  works under the guidance of the President of the European Commission on all of the above issues. The Secretariat-General supports her in coordination tasks on a Europe fit for the Digital Age. For tasks linked to the competition portfolio, the Directorate-General for Competition support her in her work.

4. High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security and Vice President of the European Commission (Josep Borrell)

Mission

• Seeks to strengthen the Union’s capacity to act autonomously and promote its values and interests around the world.
• When putting forward proposals, seeks to use the clauses in the Treaties that allow certain decisions on the common foreign and security policy to be adopted by qualified majority voting.
• Ensures a better link  between the internal and external aspects of  policies. Works closely with all Members of the College to achieve this.
• Provides a weekly update on foreign policy to the College. This will help frame  discussions and ensure external action becomes a systematic part of the decision-making process. Chairs the Commissioners’ Group on a Stronger Europe in the World, bringing together the work of all external-facing Commissioners.
• Ensures that all work linked to defence is coherent and consistent, working closely with the Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age.
• Works with all relevant Commissioners to ensure external financial instruments are used strategically, contribute to wider political aims and enhance Europe’s leadership and influence in the world

As Vice-President of the Commission, he works under the guidance of the European Commission President on all of the above issues. The Secretariat-General supports him in his role as Vice-President and will continue to be the main interface for the European External Action Service. The Service for Foreign Policy Instruments also supports him in his work.

5.Vice-President for Values and Transparency (Věra Jourová)

Mission

• Leads the Commission’s work on values and transparency.
• Chairs the Commissioners’ Group on a New Push for European Democracy and plays an active role in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Also leads efforts to protect our democratic system from external interference.
• Works with Europeans and the other EU institutions to strengthen our democratic systems and to make them more open and transparent.
• Brokers discussions between the European Parliament and the Council on improving the lead candidate system and on the issue of transnational lists. Represents the Commission in the Conference on the Future of Europe on this topic, which should come forward with proposals by summer 2020 at the latest.
• Coordinates the follow-up of such proposals where the Commission has the competence to act, and should support the European Parliament in amending the electoral law and securing its agreement in the Council.
• Coordinates the work on a European Democracy Action Plan, with the aim of addressing the threats of external intervention in our European elections. It should include legislative proposals to ensure greater transparency in the area of paid political advertising and clearer rules on the financing of European political parties.
• Coordinates the work on building the resilience of our democratic systems. Focus on countering disinformation and fake information, while preserving freedom of expression, freedom of the press and media pluralism. Closely  monitors the implementation of the Code of Practice and stand ready to propose regulatory intervention if necessary.
• Makes use of the Media Pluralism Monitor to identify risks to plurality in the media sector, and propose cross-border projects to support independent and diverse journalistic activities.
• Works with the other institutions to bring more transparency to the legislative process. Leads the negotiations on behalf of the Commission for a Transparency Register for the Parliament, Council and Commission.
• Works together with the European Parliament and the Council on an independent ethics body common to all EU institutions.
• Responsible for improving the way the European Citizens’ Initiative works.
• Coordinates work to promote, strengthen and defend the EU’s rights and values as part of sustaining open, democratic and inclusive societies.
• Coordinates the Commission’s work on upholding the rule of law, working closely with the Commissioner for Justice.
• Leads the Commission’s efforts to ensure the European Union’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights.
• Responsible for monitoring the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and annual report. Coordinate all efforts and initiatives that promote European identity. Makes use of the Rights, Equalities and Citizenship Programme to increase awareness about European citizenship and the rights it confers.
• Leads the Commission’s dialogue with churches and religious associations or communities, as well as with philosophical and non-confessional organisations.

The Vice-President works under the guidance of the President of the European Commission on all of the above issues. The Secretariat-General support her in her coordination work on Values and Transparency

6. Vice-President for Protecting our European Way of Life (Margaritis Schinas)

Mission

• Chair the Commissioners’ Group on Protecting our European Way of Life.
• Coordinates the work on inclusion and building a genuine Union of equality and diversity.
• Harnesses the full potential of culture and sport to bring our communities closer together. Ensures young people can gain new experiences, skills and opportunities to participate in society, making full use of the European Solidarity Corps and DiscoverEU programmes.
• Coordinates the work on an ambitious education agenda, focusing on making education more accessible and inclusive, on lifelong learning and on crossborder learning. Coordinates the work on making the European Education Area a reality.
• Draws upon the contribution of the Commissioner for Jobs to identify and fill skills shortages and support reskilling as part of the just transition.
• Leads the Commission’s work on making our communities more united and cohesive. As part of this, coordinates the work on improving the integration of migrants and refugees into society.
• Leads work on migration by focusing on building bridges between those most entrenched and focusing on how we can unite around our common values and our shared responsibility and solidarity. Works closely with the European Parliament and the Member States with the aim of finding the common ground we need.
• Coordinates our overall approach and work on a New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Looks at all aspects, including external borders, systems for asylum and return, the Schengen Area of free movement and working with our partners outside the EU.
• Focus on creating pathways to legal migration to help us bring in people with the skills and talents our economy and labour market need. Draws on the work of the Commissioner for Jobs to improve the matching of jobseekers and vacancies.
• Works with the High Representative/Vice-President and the other relevant Commissioners to ensure the coherence of the external and internal dimensions of migration.
• Coordinates the Commission’s work in the area of European security and ensures the coherence of all security-related policies.
• Works closely with the High Representative/Vice-President to better link  work on internal and external security. Looks jointly at ways to embed a culture of cooperation between the two dimensions. This should take into account the links between international terrorism and internal security.
• Coordinates the Commission’s work to enhance the EU’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to hybrid threats. Should work in a holistic way, building resilience across sectors and exercising coordinated responses.

The Vice-President works under the guidance of the President of the European Commission on all of the above issues. The Secretariat-General support him in his coordination work on Protecting our European Way of Life.

7. Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight (Maroš Šefčovič)

Mission

• Leads the Commission’s work on interinstitutional relations, better policymaking and strategic foresight. At the heart of this is the need for the European Union to act together where it matters the most and where it can provide the most added value.
• Identifies long-term trends on which we need to act and about which we need to know more. Plays an active role in the Conference on the Future of Europe.
• Supports the President of the Commission in strengthening the special partnership with the European Parliament. Ensures that the Framework Agreement between the two institutions is respected. Responsible for relations with the Conference of Committee Chairs.
• Works closely with all other Commissioners on Parliament resolutions requesting that the Commission submit legislative proposals. Responsible  for the overall implementation of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making, and leads the interinstitutional discussions on annual programming.
• In charge of relations with national parliaments and advisory bodies.
• Coordinates the Commission’s work on better regulation. Ensures that Commission proposals respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.
• To help alleviate the regulatory burden for people and for business, develops and applies the new ‘One In, One Out’ principle. Also works closely with the Member States to avoid unnecessary additional red tape when transposing EU legislation into national law.
• Chairs the REFIT Platform, bringing together representatives from the Member States and other stakeholders to look at how to improve existing EU legislation.
• Represents the Commission in the General Affairs Council and in discussions on cross-cutting issues in the Parliament.
• Lead efforts to strengthen our culture of evidence-based policymaking. Ensures  that we make full use of the knowledge, information and research within the Commission. This will be particularly crucial to supporting our work on the twin digital and climate transitions. It should also feed into the debates of the Future of Europe Conference.
• Leads the Commission’s work on strategic foresight. Focus on long-term trends and identifies areas in which policy, research and technological developments are most likely to drive societal, economic and environmental progress.
• Coordinates the Commission’s work on the European Battery Alliance, working closely with Member States and stakeholders.
• Drawing on the work of the Commission’s Joint Research Centre, produces a yearly foresight report to help us adapt and improve our priority-setting. Looks at how we can better link policies in different areas so they work towards the same objectives.
• Supports the President of the European Commission in developing the annual Commission work programme.

The Vice-President works under the guidance of the President of the European Commission  on all of the above issues. The Secretariat-General supports him in his coordination work on Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.

8. Vice-President for Democracy and Demography (Dubravka Šuica)

Mission

• Leads the Commission’s work on ensuring that Europe understands and responds to one of its deepest lying challenges: demographic change. This affects every part of our society: from the economy to healthcare, from migration to the environment. It also shapes our politics, society and culture, and has an impact on our place in the world.
• Leads the Commission’s work to make the Conference on the Future of Europe a tangible success.
• Works closely with the European Parliament and the Council to agree on the concept, structure, timing and scope of the Conference.
• Ensures the widest possible participation in the Commission’s Citizens’ Dialogues to ensure that Europeans can shape the outcome of the Conference. Explores ways to make participation in person or online as easy and accessible as possible.
• Works closely with the Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and the Vice-President for Values and Transparency to ensure the follow-up on what is agreed by the Conference.
• Leads the Commission’s work on responding to challenges and making the most of the opportunities brought by demographic change. Looks at how we can do more to support different groups affected, including children, those trying to reconcile work and family, our ageing workforce and our rural and urban areas. Works with all Commissioners to ensure that our tools and policies take account of the implications and impact of demographic change.
• Draws on the work of Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, to analyse the impact of demographic change on different groups in society and on areas and regions disproportionately affected. Produces a report in the first 6 months of our mandate to help identify actions.
• Works closely with Member States and regions to undertake an extensive mapping exercise and look at how best to support those regions most in need of targeted reforms or investment, notably to improve infrastructure and access to services.
• Coordinates the work on a long-term vision for rural areas. We need to enable them to make the most of their potential and support them in facing up to their own unique set of issues, from demographic change to connectivity, the risk of poverty and limited access to services. This should be done in close consultation with people living in rural areas, as well as local and regional authorities.
• Looks at ways to facilitate the exchange of best practices between different parts of Europe that are facing the same challenges. Looks at ways to support areas most affected by ‘brain drain’, including through the Youth Guarantee. Presents a Green Paper on ageing, launching a wide debate on longterm impacts, notably on care and pensions, and on how to foster active ageing. Assesses whether our social protection systems are fit to deal with the needs of an ageing population.
• As part of the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, coordinates the work on better reconciling work and family and supporting people throughout their careers.
• Coordinates the work on the future Child Guarantee, ensuring that children have access to the services they need and are supported through to their adult lives.
• Serves as Commission’s lead for protecting children’s rights. Prepares  a comprehensive strategy on the rights of the child. It should include actions to protect vulnerable children, protect their rights online, foster child-friendly justice and prevent and fight violence.

The Vice-President works under the guidance of the President of the European Commission all of the above issues. The Secretariat-General and the Directorate-General for Communication support her in her coordination work on Democracy and Demography.