EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today unveiled the list of candidates and their portfolios for the upcoming European Commission
The upcoming European Commission is doubling down on a system where short-term profits and corporate interests are placed above climate action, social justice, and democracy itself. Under the false banner of ‘competitiveness,’ Ursula Von der Leyen is dismantling vital policies for people and the planet. Prioritizing industrial interests over the climate crisis is not just irresponsible—it’s dangerous for democracy.
One scandalous change is that there is no longer a portfolio for employment anymore, but an additional defense portfolio. Militarization is prioritized over workers’ rights, signaling a troubling shift away from addressing the needs of Europe’s working class. By focusing on defense rather than ensuring secure employment, the Commission shows where its true priorities lie, neglecting the economic security of ordinary citizens.
Co-chair Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France) states: “At the extraordinary Conference of Group Presidents, Ursula Von der Leyen provided less information to elected representatives than to the press, illustrating her disregard for our Parliament. In substance, her new Commission will be the most right-wing in history, with, for the first time, a far-right Vice President. The result: everything for ‘competitiveness,’ which has replaced the Green Deal. And nothing for the real lives of people or the fight against poverty.”
Von der Leyen’s leadership is irreparably damaged. By empowering far-right figures like Meloni’s appointee Fitto, she is undermining gender equality and legitimizing extremists. This is a fatal miscalculation: you do not tame democracy’s enemies by appeasing them. Her opaque deals, like the one with Macron to sideline Thierry Breton, reveal an EU Commission defined by double standards and corporate backroom bargains.
Co-chair Martin Schirdewan (DIE LINKE, Germany): “This European Commission will be driven by private profits, short-sighted growth, and a disregard for the common good. Instead of presenting a Commission for the people of Europe, Ursula von der Leyen has introduced a team that caters to corporate interests, right-wing populism, and blatant lobbying. We reject any candidate with conflicts of interest and demand a commitment to workers’ rights, a just transition, and an economy that serves people—not corporate greed.”