Sweden risks being left behind in the battle for top EU jobs

Campaign about the future post in the EU commission is in full swing

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 27 2024

Sweden risks being left behind in the battle for top EU jobs
Photo: Andy Wong/AP/TT

The battle for the important posts in the next EU Commission is in full swing.

Sweden risks being left behind – and may have to settle for its second-choice candidate.

As early as mid-July, Ursula von der Leyen may be formally approved for another five years as President of the EU Commission.

Already, however, the positions are being filled in what will be her new "government".

Each EU country contributes one person to the EU Commission, where they will then be given a responsibility area after discussions and negotiations with the President.

To get an important job, it's not enough to be skilled. Ideally, you should also come from one of the large EU countries, belong to the "right" party group, and preferably have a strong background as a former minister or even better, a head of government. Being early out is not stupid either.

Heavyweight Balts

One who meets most of the criteria is Valdis Dombrovskis. He comes from "only" small Latvia, but is a former Prime Minister, belongs to the traditionally conservative party family EPP, and has already been nominated by his government.

Dombrovskis will be doing his third period in the Commission and is already sitting on one of the finest posts as one of three executive Vice-Presidents with the highest economic responsibility. He will hardly be demoted in the autumn.

Neighbouring Estonia will also get a heavy role as Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has been nominated for the job as Foreign Affairs Commissioner.

Both Man and Woman

Kallas is one of the few who can also be completely sure of her role. To guarantee a gender-balanced Commission, von der Leyen is expected to push hard for all countries to give her two alternatives – a man and a woman – regardless of whether they want to or not.

This could be problematic for countries that have already announced a single name, if it turns out that von der Leyen would rather have their second-choice candidate.

It's likely also a reason why several countries – including Sweden – have not yet said anything publicly. This way, they don't risk having a heavyweight minister suffer the embarrassment of being rejected. Or having to admit that they actually had another candidate as their first choice than the one who is ultimately approved.

In the future EU Commission, German Ursula von der Leyen is expected to continue as Commission President, while Estonia's Kaja Kallas is expected to be nominated as Foreign Affairs Commissioner.

Two current Commissioners are also already nominated for a continuation: Latvian Valdis Dombrovskis and Slovak Maros Sefcovic.

Among other countries, Spain has flagged that it wants its Environment Minister Teresa Ribera to get a heavy climate post in the Commission.

Also, Ireland's Finance Minister Michael McGrath has been nominated, while Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has announced that he will put forward former Education Minister and EU Parliament member Henna Virkkunen.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Verdict Against Le Pen Casts
2 MIN READ

Verdict Against Le Pen Casts Doubt on Presidential Ambitions

UAE Court Sentences Three Uzbeks
1 MIN READ

UAE Court Sentences Three Uzbeks to Death for Rabbi's Murder

Central Asian Nations Resolve Fergana
1 MIN READ

Central Asian Nations Resolve Fergana Valley Dispute

1,001 Killed in Gaza After
1 MIN READ

1,001 Killed in Gaza After Ceasefire Ends, Health Officials Report

Putin Open to Talks with
1 MIN READ

Putin Open to Talks with Trump Despite Recent Tensions

Democrats Seek New Leadership as
6 MIN READ

Democrats Seek New Leadership as Trump Dominates US Politics

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Explosion in Spanish Coal Mine Claims Five Lives

Hamas Urges Global Resistance to
1 MIN READ

Hamas Urges Global Resistance to Trump's Controversial Gaza Plan

Families Hold Vigil at Bangkok
2 MIN READ

Families Hold Vigil at Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Site

Swedish Man Extradited to Norway
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Extradited to Norway in Major Drug Trafficking Case

Netanyahu Aides Detained in Qatargate
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Aides Detained in Qatargate Probe

Marine Le Pen Barred from
3 MIN READ

Marine Le Pen Barred from 2027 Election After EU Funds Verdict

Zelensky Prepares for Possible Ukrainian
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Prepares for Possible Ukrainian Election This Summer

Three Missing US Soldiers in
1 MIN READ

Three Missing US Soldiers in Lithuania Found Dead

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Power
2 MIN READ

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Power Line Attacks Amid Drone Strikes

Israel Urges Palestinians in Southern
1 MIN READ

Israel Urges Palestinians in Southern Gaza to Relocate to al-Mawasi

Iran Vows Powerful Response if
1 MIN READ

Iran Vows Powerful Response if US Launches Attack

Three Found Dead in Southern
1 MIN READ

Three Found Dead in Southern Norway; Police Investigate Link

Netanyahu Appoints New Security Chief
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Appoints New Security Chief Despite Court Block and Protests

Myanmar Earthquake Claims Over 2,000
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Claims Over 2,000 Lives, Thousands Injured

Le Pen's Presidential Hopes in
3 MIN READ

Le Pen's Presidential Hopes in Jeopardy as Fraud Verdict Looms

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing
1 MIN READ

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing Out of US Mineral Deal

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's
2 MIN READ

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's Support After Trump Golf Diplomacy

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without
1 MIN READ

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without Power Across US and Canada

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly
1 MIN READ

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly Attack on Burkina Faso Soldiers

Trump Hints at Third Term
1 MIN READ

Trump Hints at Third Term Despite Constitutional Limits

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War
1 MIN READ

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War Devastation on Frontline Journey

US Students Face Deportation Over
3 MIN READ

US Students Face Deportation Over Alleged Pro-Palestinian Support

Red Cross Condemns Israeli Attack
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Condemns Israeli Attack on Ambulance Workers in Rafah

Trump Warns of Strikes if
1 MIN READ

Trump Warns of Strikes if Iran Rejects Peace Deal Proposal

Trump Frustrated with Putin Over
1 MIN READ

Trump Frustrated with Putin Over Ukraine, Threatens New Tariffs

Erdogan Urges PKK to Disarm
1 MIN READ

Erdogan Urges PKK to Disarm Without Delay

Tsunami Warning Lifted After 7.1
1 MIN READ

Tsunami Warning Lifted After 7.1 Earthquake Near Tonga

Netanyahu Urges Hamas to Disarm
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Urges Hamas to Disarm in Ceasefire Talks

Norwegian Rocket Test Ends in
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Rocket Test Ends in Crash but Deemed a Success by Isar Aerospace

Sudanese Army Takes Control of
2 MIN READ

Sudanese Army Takes Control of Khartum as RSF Withdraws

Israeli Defense Intercepts Yemeni Robot
1 MIN READ

Israeli Defense Intercepts Yemeni Robot as Air Raid Sirens Sound

Netanyahu Heads to EU Despite
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Heads to EU Despite ICC Arrest Warrant

US Pledges Strong Military Presence
1 MIN READ

US Pledges Strong Military Presence in Taiwan Strait to Deter China

Greenland's Prime Minister Firmly Rejects
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Prime Minister Firmly Rejects Trump's Takeover Claims