New EU Commission: Who is to be responsible for what

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As of today, EU citizens with an interest in digital policy have one name to remember: Henna Virkkunen. The Finnish MEP is set to become the most important digital politician in the second cabinet of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She will be officially responsible for "Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy" if the European Parliament confirms the EU Commission. The Finnish conservative is to be given significant responsibilities in digital policy. However, other members of the future EU Commission also have important roles in digital policy.

While the presentation of the planned cabinet by von der Leyen in Strasbourg this morning went into little detail, Ursula von der Leyen's "mission letters" to the new Commissioners were published at midday.

Henna Virkkunen from Finland is to be responsible for the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the EU Chips Act and the new EU Commission's AI policy, among other things. For example, Virkunnen is to promote an "EU Cloud and AI Development Act", which should massively increase investment in this area in Europe. She is also to initiate a uniform EU-wide cloud policy, as well as a long-term EU quantum chip plan. Virkunnen will also be responsible for connectivity – where Thierry Breton, who resigned prematurely, had already laid the groundwork for a "Digital Networks Act" (DNA), which is now to come. She will also drive forward work on the EU Digital Wallet, the cross-border digital ID option for EU citizens. With this new portfolio, Virkkunen is also likely to be directly responsible for the Directorate-General Connect, where the majority of issues are implemented administratively.

Stéphane Séjourné replaces Breton

Stéphane Séjourné, who has been in office as Foreign Minister in Paris since January, is to succeed Thierry Breton in the internal market portfolio. Séjourné was a Member of the European Parliament for the liberal Renew Group from 2019 to the beginning of 2024 and a member of the Legal Affairs Committee and the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence. He is to act as Vice-President of the Commission at a senior level. From a digital perspective, the responsibilities for the Public Procurement Directive, i.e. the guidelines on how the state itself purchases, are particularly relevant. He will also take care of intellectual property and drive forward standardization regulation.

Maroš Šefčovič: Experience in critical trade issues

Maroš Šefčovič is set to play a key role in trade disputes: The Slovakian is an experienced EU Commissioner and has already been Commission Vice-President since last year. If Ursula von der Leyen's plan works out, he will be responsible for trade and customs, among other things - a relevant competence, not least in view of the disputes with China and Donald Trump's possible return to the White House. He is also to implement an exclusively digital customs system with the member states and develop a "new doctrine for economic security".

Valdis Dombrovskis to promote the digital euro

The Latvian EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis is also already experienced in the Commission. Among other things, he is to make rapid progress on the digital euro, further develop EU funding from the "Next-Generation EU" program and, above all, reduce bureaucracy: 25 percent less bureaucracy for large companies, 35 percent less for small and medium-sized enterprises, according to the Commission President's target.

Austrian conservative to revive data retention

The new EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, would also be relevant for the digital policy of the new EU Commission if he is confirmed by Parliament. The former Austrian Finance Minister from the conservative ÖVP party is expected to draw up EU-wide guidelines on data retention and make progress with the dossier on combating child sexual abuse (CSAM). He is also to give Europol greater powers.

McGrath to become Justice Commissioner

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is to fall under the remit of Irish Commissioner Michael McGrath. He will take over the Justice portfolio, known in EU parlance as "Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law". McGrath was Minister of Finance in the Republic of Ireland until June. In her "mission letter" to him, von der Leyen writes that he will "ensure that the General Data Protection Regulation keeps pace with the digital transformation and responds to economic needs and those of law enforcement authorities." In addition, the Commissioner is to advocate for "trustworthy data flows with international partners". He is also to develop a strategy for the use of digital technologies "including AI" for more efficient, resilient and secure civil and criminal justice. In EU bureaucratic speak, strategy does not mean a law.

Bulgarian Zakharieva becomes Start-up and Research Commissioner

Ekaterina Zakharieva can expect a particularly nice title. The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister is to become "Commissioner for Start-ups, Science and Innovation". In addition to being responsible for the financially strong research programs such as Horizon Europe, she is to explicitly focus on the needs of small and emerging companies, draft an "EU innovation law" and develop an "EU start-up and scale-up strategy". It should also keep a critical eye on research security: Especially when it comes to critical technologies, it should keep an eye on Europe's economic security and promote cooperation, especially with similarly oriented partners. This would include research with dual-use purposes, i.e. research that is relevant for both civilian and military use.

Commissioners still need to be confirmed by Parliament

Before the new EU Commission takes office, the Commission candidates still have to pass an interview in the European Parliament. Commission President von der Leyen must expect some criticism of her candidates - if the Parliament were to reject her proposals, either the nation states would have to nominate new candidates or the Commission President would have to redistribute responsibilities. Parliament has said that MEPs want to question the candidates quickly but thoroughly. Among other things, this involves possible conflicts of interest or general suitability for a top EU post.

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