e15 | Síkela has a chance at a key position in the new European Commission, von der Leyen faces tough negotiations

Intense behind-the-scenes negotiations are currently underway in Brussels over the allocation of 27 positions in the new European Commission, which will once again be led by Ursula von der Leyen. The German politician faces two major challenges: the limited number of strong economic portfolios, which many member states, including the Czech Republic, are vying for, and the effort to create the first-ever gender-balanced Commission, complicated by the predominance of male candidates. The situation was commented on for e15 by Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

Síkela may also benefit from the fact that the Czech Republic hasn't held an economically focused portfolio in recent years, and there seems to be an effort within the European Commission to rotate such positions. Síkela's chances are further enhanced by the positive relationship between von der Leyen and Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

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Žiga Faktor
Deputy Director & Head of Brussels Office

Expertise: European integration of Western Balkans, EU enlargement, Slovenian Politics and EU-Turkey relations