Brussels (AFP)
The Dutch Social Democrat Frans Timmermans is the next European climate commissioner, a key team task force announced on Tuesday by Germany's Ursula von der Leyen, who has reinstated Danish liberal Margrethe Vestager to the competition.
These two heavyweights of the European Commission, who have the title of executive vice-presidents, are former contenders for the presidency of this institution.
Ursula von der Leyen has promised a "green pact" in which will be included the "first European legislation on climate", in order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, which for now only 24 Member States on 28 engaged. It also supports a more ambitious goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030, or even 55%.
The Irishman Phil Hogan (EPP, right), outgoing European Commissioner for Agriculture, is appointed to Trade, a sensitive post where he will be responsible for managing trade tensions with the United States and negotiating a free trade agreement. exchange with the UK after Brexit.
"He will be a fair but determined negotiator," said Von der Leyen. "Brexit, if it has to happen, is not the end of something but the beginning of our new relationship," she said.
France's Sylvie Goulard (Renew Europe) becomes European Commissioner for the Internal Market, a broad portfolio that encompasses industrial policy, the digital single market, as well as the defense and space industry.
The appointment of the ephemeral French Minister of Defense in 2017 will have to be validated by the European Parliament. She is suspected of being involved in the fictitious jobs case of assistants of MEPs MoDem, a centrist party she has since left.
The Greek Margaritis Schinas (PPE), from one of the countries in the forefront of migrant arrivals, will oversee migration issues.
© 2019 AFP