The composition of the future European Commission presented by President-elect Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday 10 September (see other news) seemed to satisfy the top three political groups in the European Parliament - EPP, S&D and Renew Europe - according to the positive reception given to the announcements by the German.
On the other hand, the migration policy portfolio devoted to "Protecting the European way of life" and the appointment of the Hungarian László Trócsányi are causing concern and outrage among the Greens/EFA and the GUE/NGL.
Following her election on the razor's edge (see EUROPE 12297/1), Mrs von der Leyen sought to calibrate the composition of her team to maximise her chances of winning a majority in the European Parliament at the end of October. Thus, the top three political groups, which together represent a majority of 419 votes, did not fail to praise, unanimously welcoming the respect of gender parity, before highlighting their respective priorities.
The EPP (182), which has 9 portfolios, including the Commission Presidency, welcomed Mrs von der Leyen's desire to strengthen the economy, to commit to free trade agreements and to "protect the European way of life".
"With 10 out of the 27 commissioners, the Social Democrats are now a leading force in the Commission, with more posts than any other European political family", said the S&D group (153 MEPs) in a statement, confident that this composition will help implement its political programme.
Renew Europe (108 MEPs), which is allocated six portfolios, including two vice-presidencies, also praised the new Commission, emphasising in particular the importance of Margrethe Vestager's portfolio, which recoups Competition and obtains the Digital Economy.
Which migration policy?
On the other hand, the Greens/EFA (74 MEPs), where only Virginijus Sinkievičius could be likened to a Green Commissioner, have given a much less enthusiastic welcome to the new European Commission.
While welcoming the new European Commission's focus on climate change, the group's co-chair, Germany's Ska Keller, raised concerns on her Twitter account regarding the portfolio allocated to Margaritis Schinas, dedicated to "Protecting the European way of life". "We hope President von der Leyen does not see a contradiction between supporting refugees and European values", she wrote.
"We would have liked to have seen the appointment of a commissioner for the dignified reception of refugees. Mrs von der Leyen proposes instead a position on 'Protecting the European way of life'. The Liberals are no longer even hiding their echo of the words and theses of the far right", commented GUE/NGL Co-President Manon Aubry (41 MEPs) to EUROPE.
The Hungarian matter. The appointment of László Trócsányi to Enlargement is also a cause for concern on Parliament's left flank. The Hungarian is strongly criticised for his track record as Minister of Justice, whose numerous laws are at the root of the EU's triggering of Article 7 of the TEU against Hungary.
The Conservatives and the far right are silent. Neither the ECR nor the ID group issued a press release commenting on the new European Commission. Former ECR Group Spitzenkandidat Jan Zahradil (Czech Republic) welcomed on his Twitter account the awarding of the Trade portfolio to Phil Hogan. On the far-right group side, Belgian Gerolf Annemans denounced President von der Leyen's link between immigration and skilled labour. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)