The European Union has likely reached a political agreement on the selection of 26 commissioners to implement President Ursula von der Leyen's policy agenda for the next five years.
While a final vote is still pending, the European Parliament is expected to confirm the appointments next week, with the new Commission set to begin its term on December 1.
Among the key figures to watch for tech policy developments are three commissioner-designates:
Teresa Ribera RodrÃguez
As Executive Vice President for the Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, Ribera RodrÃguez, a Spanish center-left politician, will oversee both climate transformation and competition enforcement. She will inherit the task of regulating Big Tech under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to rein in platform power and ensure fairer competition. Ribera RodrÃguez will be responsible for ongoing investigations, including those involving Apple, Meta, and Google, and is expected to impose significant penalties for any violations. Additionally, she will focus on speeding up competition enforcement, targeting anti-competitive practices and "killer acquisitions" in the tech sector.
Henna Virkkunen
Appointed as Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Virkkunen will handle digital technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. Her portfolio also includes enforcing digital rules such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), aimed at ensuring consumer protection on digital platforms. She will oversee investigations into tech giants like X (formerly Twitter), focusing on illegal content and algorithmic accountability. Virkkunen’s role also involves boosting AI innovation and investment in cutting-edge technologies, such as quantum computing and semiconductors, to enhance the EU's tech competitiveness.
Ekaterina Zaharieva
Though not an Executive Vice President, Zaharieva will serve as Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation. Her mandate includes fostering a supportive environment for European startups, improving access to venture capital, and creating regulatory sandboxes for new technologies. She will also lead initiatives such as the European Innovation Act and the European Research Area Act, aimed at promoting research and innovation. Zaharieva's focus will be on reducing red tape, expanding funding access, and strengthening the EU's tech ecosystem.
These commissioners will play pivotal roles in shaping the EU's approach to digital policy, innovation, and competition over the next five years.
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