Von der Leyen's spokesman said afterwards that Turkey had breached protocol by failing to offer her a chair, as it has done to other male commission presidents in the … Grade C. Best moments: Wojciechowski saw through crisis packages to help farmers through lockdown, an overhaul of Europe’s sustainable food priorities and the fruiting of a long-delayed Common Agricultural Policy reform. It’s been a turbulent year for Ursula von der Leyen’s Class of 2019. Worst moments: McGuinness has not really hit the ground running and seems intent on getting up to speed by first meeting regulators and industry. That’s when he’ll have to introduce an EU digital tax if global talks stall again and find consensus between Northern and Southern Europe on reforming the bloc’s debt and deficit rules. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers in Europe. Grade: incomplete. What does the new buzzword “open strategic autonomy” really mean? The young Lithuanian launched a slew of ambitious plans to improve the bloc’s track record on environmental protection, chemicals and the circular economy, landing him overall applause from green campaigners. And when handling migration, described by some diplomats as possibly the most toxic dossier in town, that’s already an achievement. If you do not have a login you can register here. She did decently, even though the difficult work lies ahead. Who’s top of the class and who flunked the first year? Performance review: In only one year, the French commissioner went from “Thierry Who?” to almost outshining his boss Ursula von der Leyen. What comes next: Dalli still needs to find a way forward on highly divisive gender-related files such as the Women on Boards directive. Nicolas Schmit Commissioner for jobs and social rights. Considering long delays to some of the department’s previous proposals — think single-use plastics guidelines and the bloc’s environmental action plan — Sinkevičius risks losing his fast-won plaudits from impatient campaigners. But perhaps the worst moment was when the European Parliament gave Borrell a dressing down over the handling of a report on disinformation by China. Her mother, Heidi-Adele Albrecht, had a university doctorate and actively encouraged academic success. “If we continue at this snail’s pace, it will take almost 100 years to achieve equality,” she said. Von der Leyen said she wanted the commission to be “geopolitical”. The new year and the changing coronavirus dynamics should create space for her own personal touch. hޤTo�6���g�! Performance review: Overshadowed by von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel, who have each taken a strong hand in international relations, Borrell has struggled to project the EU as a relevant force when it comes to nuts-and-bolts policymaking in the global arena. She also gets props for staying visible online during the dark springtime months: the plucky Estonian frequently tweeted about the virtual meetings she held with everyone who’s anyone in the energy world. Grade C. Best moments: The Commission came up with a new methodology on how to handle the accession process for countries that want to join the EU, overcoming objections from France and allowing Albania and North Macedonia to get the green light to start membership talks. 759 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<349D943FC445894080FE6A3C1C015491>]/Index[743 24]/Info 742 0 R/Length 90/Prev 710353/Root 744 0 R/Size 767/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The president and her team struggled in the initial weeks of the pandemic as national capitals panicked and refused to cooperate, but the Commission found its footing and designed a historic €1.82 trillion budget and recovery package that was adopted unanimously by the European Council. He also pushed hard to table legislation on minimum wages in the EU in the face of fierce opposition. Some also still blame her for voting against the Parliament’s effort to trigger Article 7 against Hungary in 2018 when she was an MEP. Von der Leyen was born in 1958 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, where she lived until she was 13 years old. Performance review: Assigned a portfolio largely outside the EU’s powers, the socialist politician leveraged the coronavirus crisis to advance EU influence in the social sphere, winning the support of conservatives including von der Leyen and Dombrovskis on jobs-related measures. But it will take much more than an adequate leader to transform the EU into a geopolitical power. Although her soundbites were probably not the most effective, she managed to present the plan as a real novelty and fairly balanced between the needs of Easterners and the Southerners. It produced an awkward scene, with von der Leyen … She will also have to oversee the implementation of the European Democracy Action Plan, her upcoming strategy that will set the path for legislation on political advertising, measures against disinformation online and efforts to foster media pluralism. In the spring, the Commission tried to get countries to harmonize travel restrictions, but after weeks of debates, they only agreed to look at the same color-coded maps. Best moment: The budget deal(s). Best moments: The early days of the coronavirus crisis, when he took a leadership role to coordinate the industry response to shortages in medical supplies. But Várhelyi has not exactly gone out of his way to win friends. What comes next: Simson is set to unveil a big revision of energy infrastructure policy before the year is out, designed to ensure EU-funded projects meet climate and decarbonization goals. Janusz Wojciechowski Commissioner for agriculture. All of this allows the former Commission chief spokesman to display his communication skills and his eye for a media opportunity: After a meeting with religious leaders in November, he reassured children that Santa Claus will be able to cross borders to bring them gifts despite the coronavirus. Borrell has also been constrained, at times even crippled, by the continuing requirement for unanimity in EU foreign policy decisions — evidenced most vividly by an embarrassing two-month delay in imposing sanctions on top Belarusian officials over election fraud and a crackdown on protesters. Feeling let down by the Commission, the creative industries turned to Parliament with their push for more coronavirus-crisis support. In-depth reporting, data and actionable intelligence for policy professionals – all in one place. The resignation of Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan was embarrassing but gave von der Leyen the chance to appoint a female successor, Mairead McGuinness — taking the Commission to 13 women out of 27 commissioners. In a speech on Wednesday, the former EU Brexit negotiator appeared to make a veiled swipe at Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Performance review: The Commission’s economic chief shakes pressure off like water from a duck’s back, a great quality to have when a pandemic triggers a double-dip recession. Since 26 fresh-faced commissioners and one president took office on December 1 last year, even the Commission’s youngest members have been aged by the coronavirus pandemic. In the family, she has been known since childhood as Röschen, a diminutive of Rose. Von der Leyen … Mariya GabrielCommissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth. Paolo Gentiloni Commissioner for the economy. In general he’s seen as very active, something that even his many critics acknowledge. Worst moments: When the EU top court struck down the U.S.-EU data flow agreement that she negotiated in her previous term because it did not protect EU personal data. In 2020 he managed to shepherd a tricky legislative file on collective redress for consumers past the finish line and reacted quickly to put pressure on platforms to tackle coronavirus scams. BRUSSELS — In a statement following her meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that the Commission will soon present a proposal to Turkey to ensure the flow of funding to refugees, noting that Ankara’s commitment to the 2016 refugee agreement shows goodwill. At the start of the pandemic, she was slow to pivot from a crisis on the Greek-Turkish border. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint news conference with EU Council President Charles Michel after … Dombrovskis will also have to prove whether he can improve transatlantic trade relations, so that he can turn his attention eastward and deal with China’s state-led economy. Every commissioner reviewed and rated. Despite allocating extra cash to help fishermen during the coronavirus crisis, the commissioner has been criticized by fishermen for not putting forward a dedicated strategy, and by marine NGOs for failing to take emergency measures against France and Spain to stop the unintentional killing of thousands of dolphins in the Bay of Biscay. Grade B+. But his most ambitious proposals have been put on hold. The Biden presidency will give Borrell a chance to team up with the new U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and potentially develop a transatlantic doctrine for the 21st century. Performance review: At the wheel during a momentous year for the agriculture sector, Wojciechowski unfortunately often seemed to be asleep. Worst moments: Who can forget the nightmarish confirmation hearing last October, when the chairing MEP called for a round of applause for Wojciechowski and no-one clapped. First female Commission president. Attended the European School in the suburb of Uccle, graduating two years before Boris Johnson joined the same establishment. Worst moments: Sinkevičius hasn’t impressed as much with the oceans part of his portfolio. And her team stirred unnecessary controversy by not being forthright when von der Leyen left Brussels to self-isolate because of a coronavirus risk. Mairead McGuinness Commissioner for financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union. Dombrovskis also took over the portfolio of the departing Phil Hogan in the beginning of October. On the rule of law however, Poland and Hungary currently still have the upper hand. Grade B. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen endorsed the title as an “ideological victory.” But Schinas sailed through his confirmation hearing anyway and his title was later tweaked. Schinas has said repeatedly that Europe cannot fail twice on migration, following the crisis of 2015-16. Latest news, analysis and comment on elections in Europe and beyond. Best moments: The fact that Lenarčič on January 29 held a joint news conference to announce that the Commission had activated its own internal crisis response mechanism to the pandemic allowed him to later reject accusations that the Commission was not prepared. Performance review: Von der Leyen and her Commission had barely crossed the threshold of 100 days in office when they were hit with the once-in-100-years public health catastrophe and an economic shock unprecedented in modern times. What comes next: The vexed question of who will lead the conference on Europe’s future has still to be resolved. Margrethe Vestager Executive vice president for digital, and competition commissioner. Best moment: Had the bloc’s energy supply been weakened or interrupted by the COVID crisis, she would have had to assume at least part of the blame. The President represents the Commission in European Council meetings, G7 and G20 summits, summits with non-EU countries and major debates in the European Parliament and the Council. But that was strongly resisted as a knee-jerk reaction. While von der Leyen’s “shield” line went down well in Greece, it didn’t go down so well with socialists and some EU diplomats, who argued it reinforced the idea that refugees and migrants posed a threat. Grade C. Best moments: Reynders got some behind-the-scenes support for a bid to take up the trade portfolio when Ireland’s Phil Hogan left his seat. What comes next: A ruling by the European Court of Justice mid-July put the topic of data protection — part of Reynders’ justice portfolio — front and center on his list of problems that urgently need solving. Phil HoganResigned as commissioner for trade. Latest news, analysis and comment on defense in Europe and beyond. Worst moments: Even before “golfgate,” Hogan was a weakened figure, having bungled his bid for the world’s top trade job at the World Trade Organization. But it got far worse when he erred by attending the golf dinner, then refused to apologize, got pulled over by police for using his mobile phone while driving, failed to quarantine when he arrived in Ireland from Belgium, and inflamed the whole thing in a car-crash TV interview that turned his own government against him. It didn’t pan out but shows the Belgian has plenty of political credit to spend in coming years. He claimed the dubious award of most prolific Twitter user out of all the commissioners, but one who achieves very little impact. If anything, von der Leyen… (He tweets rarely in English, mostly about internal Polish debates.). She has become almost invisible on issues dear to the cultural industry, despite a successful campaign to add “culture” to her title. While the Commission conveyed von der Leyen's irritation, an EU official who declined to be named said to do so might have provoked a "protocol … Best moments: The Romanian commissioner was visible on the press podium in the early weeks of the pandemic, standing firm in arguing that companies must refund passengers whose flights were canceled in line with EU passenger rights. In October, the Commission indicated it would withdraw the plan “on the grounds of it becoming obsolete.” However, this was arguably a small defeat offset by a larger victory — as the planned recovery fund is a much larger joint pot of EU money, even if it is meant to be temporary. Virginijus Sinkevičius Commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries. In a Figaro interview, she said she would fight for Europeans to “live their third age in a more interesting and dynamic way.”. Kyriakides managed relatively well, considering her plate was full of new files, an unprecedented crisis and the fact that Brussels doesn’t control health policy. What comes next: Ferreira will have an important role to play in the rollout of the EU’s Just Transition Fund, meant to support regions most affected by digital and climate transitions. And it still misses the commissioner candidate from the UK - as British prime minister Boris Johnson refused to send one before the elections in Britain on 12 December. Explore the live extension of our journalism, The wonk's survival guide to the EU Green Deal, April 19 — Rewriting the Transatlantic Tech Playbook, April 20 — The coming shakeup of the EU Emissions Trading System, May 18 — POLITICO Virtual Interview: In Conversation With Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, “Global Monitor of COVID-19’s impact on Democracy and Human Rights,”. In September, Schinas also played a leading role in presenting the Commission’s long-awaited Migration Pact, a plan meant to end years of division among EU member countries. Worst moments: Vălean failed to dispel persistent criticism from green NGOs at what they see as an unwillingness to address the climate impacts of transport, for instance by moving forward with a tax on aviation fuel, despite increasingly damning evidence of the scale of the pollution. close. She delivered a strong September press conference urging the EU to become “collectively anti-racist” and pointing the finger at the Commission to take “an introspective look” to ensure diversity among staff. Worst moment: Her social media presence may be spot on, but her live appearances are still shaky. Worst moments: The commissioner found herself in the unfortunate position of being the first member of the von der Leyen Commission to announce a positive coronavirus test, which resulted in a swift move to tighten rules on meetings and prevent further infections among staff. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on the continent. Grade C. Best moments: Vestager was at the front of the EU’s drive to revive the pandemic-stricken economy, as her team swiftly relaxed aid rules to allow countries to deal with the coronavirus crisis. What comes next: If EU national leaders surmount the deadlock with Hungary and Poland — an effort being led by von der Leyen’s mentor, German Chancellor Angela Merkel — the Commission president and her team must urgently implement the new budget and recovery program. On Brexit, his corner of the Commission stretched at least the spirit of the Withdrawal Agreement after both sides pledged to assess each other’s financial rulebooks, with a view to recognizing the “equivalence” of their standards. 743 0 obj <> endobj Performance review: In a portfolio that seems literally built for 2020, there’s plenty to suggest the Commission was asleep at the wheel when the COVID crisis broke, memorably when Rome’s request for face masks and medical gear in February was met with silence. This clue was last seen on February 20 2021 on New York Times’s Crossword. What comes next: With the EU budget deal (nearly) over the line, Gabriel’s main task in 2021 becomes overseeing the implementation of the Horizon Europe program, which may see her shrink further into the background alongside other bureaucratic commissioners. The von der Leyen Commission took office on 1 December 2019, a month later than expected and after a long . In another embarrassment, the EU stood by powerlessly as war flared in Nagorno-Karabakh and then ended with a Russian-backed peace plan to implement new borders, redrawn without input from Brussels. Grade A-. When negotiators finalized an agreement with the European Parliament in early November, the Austrian politician was closely involved in the technical negotiations. Performance review: The second-term Latvian commissioner was elevated to executive vice president for “an Economy that Works for People.” Well, it’s not, even if no one could fault policymakers for the sharpest recession in living memory. It also cost one commissioner his job. Performance review: Von der Leyen and her Commission had barely crossed the threshold of 100 days in office when they were hit with the once-in-100-years public health catastrophe and an economic shock unprecedented in modern times. Best moments: Amid serious limitations outside his control, Borrell’s greatest strength is his brutal candor, speaking hard truths to audiences not always receptive to straight talk. She’ll also face fresh scrutiny over whether her allegiances lie with the Berlaymont or in her home country of Romania as the Commission releases a fresh assessment of EU trucker reforms. Grade B-. What comes next: Schmit gets another go to push through his socialist ambitions when he presents plans to revamp the European Pillar of Social Rights early next year. The Commissioners; Ursula von der Leyen; President von der Leyen's team; Team President von der Leyen's team. Until that happens, a big part of his work is effectively frozen. Grade B. Although that’s not her fault and the two countries can’t formally block the plan, the optics weren’t great. What comes next: Should it ever get over the finish line, Hahn will play an important role when it comes to implementing the new budget from 2021. What comes next: Wojciechowski is likely to lose in his effort to wrest more powers for Brussels to include Green Deal targets in criteria for approving EU countries’ agricultural plans.