Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (The Moderate Party) is favourite to become an EU Commissioner, according to Sveriges Radio and Expressen.
He himself denies the reports via his press secretary in an SMS to Dagens Nyheter, stating that he "is not available for a post as Commissioner".
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is expected to present the EU Commissioner by the first week of August at the latest.
You will all be the first to know when we have appointed the next Swedish EU Commissioner, says the Prime Minister in Almedalen.
If the choice does fall on Billström, he will be the first Swedish Moderate EU Commissioner.
Sweden's current Commissioner, Ylva Johansson (The Social Democratic Party), will step down in the autumn since Kristersson wants to replace her, despite appreciating her work as responsible for the EU's migration policy.
Since Sweden joined the EU in 1995, all Swedish EU Commissioners have been women:
1995-99 Anita Gradin (The Social Democratic Party): Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner.
1999-2004 Margot Wallström (The Social Democratic Party): Environment Commissioner.
2004-2010 Margot Wallström: Vice-President and responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication.
2010-2014 Cecilia Malmström (The Liberals): Home Affairs Commissioner.
2014-2019 Cecilia Malmström: Trade Commissioner.
2019- 2024 Ylva Johansson (The Social Democratic Party): Home Affairs Commissioner.
The Commission consists of one member from each of the 27 member states. The Commissioners do not represent their own countries but are supposed to look after the best interests of the entire EU.
The Commission President determines which policy area they will be responsible for.
The Commissioner is nominated by the government, usually sometime during late summer. However, the EU Commission President must first be elected.
