On the eve of the final hearings with new European Commissioners, the prospective President Ursula von der Leyen has made a number of administratively minor, but politically sensitive changes behind the scenes in recent days.
The leader of the Social Democrats, Iratxe García, announced this morning in Brussels that Von der Leyen has agreed to a number of previous requests and wishes from S&D. It seems their coalition groups of Christian Democrats and Liberals have also agreed to this.
For example, the job description of the prospective EU Commissioner Margaritis Schinas is being adjusted. The Greek, as Vice-President, had the overarching assignment ‘Protection of our European way of life’ in his portfolio, which also would have included European asylum policy.
There was immediate criticism of Von der Leyen because by using the term ‘protection’ she gave the impression of seeing migrants as a threat. She was also accused of using the formulation as a favor in return for the support she received during her election from Eastern European conservatives.
Among others, the Social Democratic group in the European Parliament had demanded in September that she change the job description of the Greek Commissioner Schinas. The word ‘protection’ in the task description is now changed to ‘promotion of our European way of life’.
Von der Leyen has made two other changes, both in portfolios of new Social Democratic EU Commissioners. The job description of the 28-year-old Lithuanian Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius (Environment and Oceans) now includes ‘Fisheries’. In his hearing two weeks ago, he made clear that he wants to maintain the current strict European fishing quotas.
And the center-left Luxembourg Commissioner Nicolas Schmit (Jobs) will now also have Social Rights added. The Social Democrats have made it clear from the start of the negotiations that they want workers’ rights, social security, and employment combined in one portfolio.
With these changes, the Social Democrats have strengthened their grip on the European decision-making process, not only in their traditional policy areas but also in sustainability, environment, and economy. On the other hand, there is still no certainty about the financing of the new EU policies.
Because it is still unknown whether Great Britain will actually leave the EU (which would mean the loss of a major source of revenue), not only the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) has not yet been adopted, but no political decisions have been made about drastic revisions. For months, heads of state and ministers have been debating reductions in agricultural subsidies.
As a result, politically sensitive and important decisions, especially those with significant financial aspects, are being deferred as much as possible in Brussels and member states until early next year. The ‘very last’ Brexit extension expires at the end of January: then we will finally know where we stand with the British, sigh optimistic EU politicians.