The European Parliament approved EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s candidates for the College of Commissioners, but the vote was tighter than expected.
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Finnish MEP Henna Virkkunen pictured in the European Parliament. Image: Nicolas Tucat / AFP
Finnish MEP Henna Virkkunen on Wednesday was named as the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
Virkkunen’s appointment was confirmed along with the rest of the College of Commissioners following a vote in the European parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
MEPs voted on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s candidates for the College of Commissioners for 2024 to 2029, but the margin — 370 in favour versus 282 against — was closer than expected.
Among the 15 Finnish MEPs in the EU Parliament, four voted against appointing the candidates — Maria Ohisalo (Greens), Li Andersson (Left), Jussi Saramo (Left) and Sebastian Tynkkynen (Finns).
Although Von der Leyen won a second term as EU Commissioner during the summer by 401 votes to 284, divisions have deepened among Parliament’s different factions, and this was reflected in Wednesday’s tighter-than-expected vote.
In a speech to parliamentarians, Von der Leyen noted the importance of Virkkunen’s commission portfolio.
“She will leave no stone unturned to ensure Europe can use digital technologies to boost its prosperity, to unleash innovation and to help keep people safer. And she is the right person to ensure that Europe’s tech sovereignty is built right here in Europe,” Von der Leyen said.
Virkkunen was elected to the European Parliament in 2014 having previously served as Finland’s Minister of Transport, Minister of Public Administration and Local Government and Minister of Education.
She is a member of the National Coalition Party, forming part of the centre-right European People’s Party in the EU Parliament.
Finland was one of a handful of EU member states to nominate a female candidate for the commission, a move which Politico noted increased the country’s chances of landing a prominent portfolio.
Ursula von der Leyen and Henna Virkkunen congratulate each other after the appointments are confirmed.
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Publish date : 2024-11-27 04:52:00
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