A new team of European Union commissioners took office today, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is in her second term.
Von der Leyen began her first term in 2019 with the culmination of the global climate movement, which resulted in a package of groundbreaking EU climate and environmental laws known as the Green Deal.
Five years later, a significant sign of the bloc’s changing priorities is the introduction of the position of EU Commissioner for Defence, to which Lithuanian Prime Minister Andriys Kubilius has been appointed.
Kubilius’s mandate will include strengthening Europe’s military independence and streamlining investment in European defence projects.
Estonia’s Kaja Kalas has taken on the key role of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, DPA reported.
The European Commission is the only institution empowered to propose EU-wide laws and ensure compliance with the bloc’s regulations among the 27 members.
The bloc is preparing for the return to office in January of newly elected US President Donald Trump, who has promised to impose heavy tariffs.
Photo: Platform X
