Ursula von der Leyen has unveiled her 26-member Commission team, poised to face a final confirmation vote in Strasbourg next week. The second term for the EU executive begins December 1.
The formation process was marked by disputes over three nominees: Teresa Ribera, Raffaele Fitto, and Olivér Várhelyi. The EPP, led by Spain’s Partido Popular, criticized Ribera for Valencia’s flood response, which she countered by pointing to Valencia’s PP-led regional government.
Meanwhile, the S&D and Renew Europe opposed Fitto’s appointment as executive vice-president, linking him to Giorgia Meloni and the ECR group. They also objected to Várhelyi, citing his ties to Viktor Orbán and controversial comments about MEPs.
Negotiations concluded with Ribera and Fitto keeping their positions and Várhelyi losing oversight of reproductive health. The EPP, S&D, and Renew issued a joint statement reaffirming centrist cooperation, though the Greens were excluded.
Despite ongoing tensions, von der Leyen’s team now moves forward to confront pressing EU challenges.
