European socialists are concerned that the next EU executive’s composition may fail to reflect progressive priorities, leaving them sidelined in shaping the EU's social policy.
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Leaked reports on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s choice for her new executive suggesting that her European People’s Party (EPP) may dominate influential portfolios have irked socialists in the Parliament, who fear that they will get no hearing in the new mandate.
Last week, Euronews revealed a leaked document suggesting that the EPP would secure key posts, including portfolios related to employment, social affairs, and a newly created housing portfolio.
These positions are reportedly earmarked for figures such as Austria’s Commissioner Magnus Brunner and Croatia’s Dubravka Šuica—both from the EPP.
“Placing an employment commissioner whose commitment to social rights is questionable at best,” socialist group president Iratxe Garcia said in a note.
The socialists stressed in the same note that this portfolio should be assigned to someone from the "progressive family".
There are currently four socialist candidates for Commission posts, with Spain's Teresa Ribera tipped for an executive vice presidency in a relevant policy area. However, the remaining three – Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen, Malta's Glenn Micallef, and Romania's Roxana Mînzatu – are expected to receive less prominent roles.
Socialists are pushing for the Commissioners overseeing social affairs to commit to the La Hulpe Declaration on the future of social Europe.
Signed under the Belgian EU presidency, this document - endorsed by von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola - sets out a social agenda for 2024-2029, reaffirming a 'European Pillar of Social Rights' as the foundation for EU social policy in the coming years.
In addition to policy concerns, socialists are closely monitoring gender balance within the new Commission and continue to call for parity in the College of Commissioners.
Although von der Leyen initially received the names of only four women as designates by mid-August, political pressure—especially on smaller member states—has helped her secure at least 11 female Commissioners.
Another source of tension is the appointment of Italy’s nominee, Raffaele Fitto from the far-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) party, to an executive vice-presidency.
García warned that bringing the ECR "into the heart of the Commission" could alienate the socialists’ support.
“Our support has never been a blank cheque. We have always been clear that the next Commission must meet our expectations, both on policy and principle,” said the president of the European socialist party (PES) Stefan Löfven.
The socialists have the second largest political group in the European Parliament with 189 MEPs and supported von der Leyen in her confirmation vote in July.