European Commission

Instead of the expected energy portfolio, the Czech nominee for European Commissioner Jozef Síkela could get foreign trade. He would have at his disposal the bureaucratic apparatus of the Directorate General for International Trade, numbering some 700 employees, which is above average by Brussels standards. What could the mandate of the next Trade Commissioner entail? And what obstacles will he have to deal with? Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Ursula von der Leyen will present the new EU Commissioners list on Wednesday 18 September. The President of the European Commission may come with a new portfolio that has not been there before. Until then it is not sure what portfolio will Jozef Síkela get. Whether it would be the wanted trade discussed Žiga Faktor, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute and head of the Brussels office, live on ČT24.

The position of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, remains strong. The fact that the Member States ignored her request to propose two candidates for the post of new European Commissioner: a man and a woman, does not change this. The guest on podcast Bruselské chebíčky on Czech Radio was the deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute and head of the Brussels office Žiga Faktor.

It looked like a real victory by the Czech EU negotiators. At least the German Die Welt presented it almost as a fait accompli that the influential post of EU Energy Commissioner was to be taken by the Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela. For Blesk daily commented Deputy Director and head of Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute Žiga Faktor.

Several controversial names have also emerged among the candidates for the new European Commissioners. The final shape of the European institution will probably not be known for several months. For Slovakian STVR commented Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen already knows almost all the candidates for her future team. The deadline for member states to make their views known ends on Friday, August 30. In July, the EU chief executive asked member states to propose both, a man and a woman so that she will have an equal representation in the Commission. So far, only Bulgaria has heeded the EC chief's request and as the only country offered both a man and a woman. Also, the Lithuanian candidate has not been officially nominated, but his name has been mentioned in some media. For ČT24 comments Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

25 of the 27 EU Member States have already nominated candidates for the new European Commission. So far, 17 are men and 7 are women. According to the President of the European Commission Ursula von den Leyen, only Bulgaria has nominated both a man and a woman. The President also confirmed that there will be a new position of European Commissioner for Defense. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Slovakian STVR.

Ursula von der Leyen has asked EU Member States to send her two names of candidates for the post of Commissioner in the European Commission, one man and one woman, so that she can create a balanced team. The Czech Republic ignored this request and proposed only Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela for the post of EU Commissioner. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Český rozhlas Plus.

Petr Fiala met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. This is just two days before the Czech government is due to definitively confirm the nomination of minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela for the post of European Commissioner. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for the main evening broadcast on TV Nova about what they could discuss at the closed-door meeting and how strong the position of the future Czech Commissioner is in Europe.

If the French get their way, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton is in line for a far-reaching economic portfolio in the next European Commission mandate. That could be a “competitiveness” remit that stands alongside a competition policy portfolio. For Politico Pro comments Filip Křenek, analyst at EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy.

The government of Petr Fiala is sending Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela to the race for an influential portfolio with the aim of filling one of the eco-oriented agendas. These are traditionally filled by representatives of large European countries, but even so, Síkela may not be without a chance. His professional background and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU will play in his favour. The Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, Viktor Daněk, reflected for Deník N on whether it would not be more important to focus on an agenda where interesting legislative activity can be expected in the coming years.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has asked Member States to submit two names instead of one in their nominations for European Commissioners. Her aim is to have a balanced proportion of men and women in the new Commission. But as the request for two candidates is not supported by the treaties, if the Czech Republic offers only Jozef Sikel, there will be no direct consequences, though it may affect the distribution of the portfolios that lays in von der Leyen's hands. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČRo Plus.