EU Council Appoints New EU Commission Till 2029: Kallas Replaces Borrell, Von der Leyen in Office Again

The European Council has appointed a new composition of the European Commission for the period from 1 December 2024 to 31 October 2029, the European Council website reports.

Formal approval by the European Council is the last stage in the appointment of the new European Commission.

Ursula von der Leyen from Germany will become President of the European Commission, and Kaja Kallas from Estonia will become High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who will also be one of the Vice-Presidents of the Commission in accordance with Article 18(4) of the Treaty on European Union.

This follows the consent given on 27 November 2024 by the European Parliament.

The Treaty on European Union provides as follows: ‘The President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the other members of the Commission shall be subject to the approval of the European Parliament as a body by vote. On the basis of this approval, the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council, acting by qualified majority’.

One of the key positions for Ukraine - Commissioner for Enlargement - in the new European Commission was taken by a representative of Slovenia, Marta Kos.

Lithuanian Andrius Kubilius was appointed Defence Commissioner. Hungarian European Commissioner Oliver Varghese, who was previously Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, has been demoted and will be responsible for animal health and welfare.