The European Parliament gave its approval to the new European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen, allowing it to take office on 1 December. Now the European Council has to approve the Commission by a qualified majority.
A total of 461 MEPs voted in favour of the new Commission, while 157 voted against and 89 abstained.
Over the next five year, our Union will embark together with a transformation which will touch every part of our society and our economy. And we will do it because it’s the right thing to do, not because it will be easy. (…) My message is simple: let’s get to work,” von der Leyen said when presented the EP her team and programme.
Starting September to mid-November, the parliamentary committees organised hearings with each of the nominees to judge their suitability for their proposed post.
The new Commission comprises 18 commissioners.
Adina-Ioana Vălean will be the new Commissioner for Transport, after she received the green light from the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), on November 14.
Vălean said that, it would defend the Connecting Europe Facility budget for the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Vălean will make efforts to support the Green Deal, which is Ursula von der Leyen’s agenda. To achieve a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from transport by 2050 the EC needs to incentivise right consumer choices and low-emissions practices improve efficiency across the whole transport system increase uptake of clean vehicles and alternative fuels.
In July, MEPs elected Ursula von der Leyen European Commission President, after she promised tougher emission targets and a right of initiative for the Parliament.
On October 18, von der Leyen has presented to the European Council its agenda which paves the way for more research and innovation, relies on climate protection, on boosting the digitization. A fresh start on migration, a social and competitive Europe as well as a stronger Europe in the world are the other pillars of the agenda of the new EC President.
The new EC President intends to invest EUR 3 trillion in climate protection by 2030.
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