Finland’s Henna Virkkunen has been appointed as the European Commission’s next executive vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, signalling a shift in EU digital policy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in a press conference on Tuesday (17 September).

The next Commission’s slogan is ‘competitiveness in global markets’, as European leaders are increasingly concerned about reliance on third countries for key technologies.

Virkkunen will oversee “digitalisation and digital infrastructure,” described by von der Leyen as “pre-conditions for being at the cutting edge of research and development,” adding that these are, in turn, key to Europe’s competitiveness globally.

Previously, Danish Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager had competencies in digital policy, with a portfolio on “Europe Fit for the Digital Age” startups while heading the Directorate-General for Competition.

The Commissioner overseeing digital policy was France’s Thierry Breton, who had a portfolio in the Internal Market and Services.

Breton led the Commission’s Directorate-General on Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT), primarily in charge of digital policy. He was also in charge of space and defence as head of the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS).

Breton quit in a surprise move on Monday (16 September), citing personal issues with von der Leyen.

It seems that DG CNECT has been removed from the Internal Market Commissioner’s portfolio, with space and defence now separate from digital policy. From the mission letter, Virkkunen appears to be taking over DG CNECT.

Lithuanian Commissioner Andrius Kubilius will oversee space and defence matters, which were previously under Breton’s portfolio. Kubilius will report to Virkkunen, the Commission president said. 

Meanwhile, competition and the green deal will fall under the Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera.

Vestager was previously Commissioner for Competition, working closely with Breton. She is leaving behind a legacy of going after US Big Tech.

Five other tech-related portfolios

France’s Stéphane Séjourné, who replaced Breton’s candidacy, will be the executive vice-president for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, responsible “for the Industry, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the Single Market portfolio,” said von der Leyen.

Romanian Roxana Mînzatu was named executive vice-president for People, Skills and Preparedness, responsible “for skills, education and culture, quality jobs and social rights,” said von der Leyen. Addressing the impact of technology on the future of work will also be a key focus for the next Commission.

Latvia’s Valdis Dombrovskis was named Commissioner for Implementation and Simplification, reporting directly to von der Leyen. Focusing on implementing existing digital regulation and cutting red tape – seen as a burden for EU companies – will be a political priority for the new Commission.

Bulgaria’s Ekaterina Zaharieva will be Commissioner for Research and Innovation, replacing Iliana Ivanova.

Ireland’s Michael McGrath was named Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law, charged with taking “forward the European Democracy Shield.” This initiative is aimed at countering disinformation and foreign manipulation, von der Leyen said in her political guidelines.

[Edited by Martina Monti]

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