Didier Reynders running for Council of Europe, Věra Jourová replaces him as EU justice commissioner

Brussels-European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen decided to entrust the EU justice portfolio, left vacant by Didier Reynders, to Věra Jourová. From today (April 15) until the end of June, when the Belgian commissioner will know whether he has been elected as the new secretary-general of the Council of Europe.

“I am ready to continue in the good work of Didier Reynders. Wishing him the best of luck,” said the European Commission vice-president in charge of values and transparency policies in a post on X. In a statement dated March 27, the EU executive said that Reynders will have to refrain from participating “directly and indirectly in any activity related to the election campaign” and will ensure that “no such activity is conducted in his name” until April 25. From now until the date of the elections, during the June 24-28 Plenary session of the Council of Europe Assembly, Reynders has been granted an “unpaid leave of absence.”

The EU justice commissioner and former Belgian finance minister is aiming for the leadership of the Council of Europe, the organization (which is not an EU institution) for the protection of human rights based in Strasbourg. For the appointment as secretary-general effective Sept. 18, 2024, Reynders will face former Swiss President Alain Berset and former Estonian culture minister Indrek Saar.