EU, yet another reshuffle for the Commission: Valean and Sinkevicius take up seat in Parliament

Brussels – The von der Leyen Commission is losing (more) pieces. Adina Valean and Virginius Sinkevicius, responsible for Transport and the Environment, Ocean and Fisheries, respectively, finally announced their decision to take up the seat in the European Parliament they won in the June 9 European elections. Therefore, they will leave the College of Commissioners with the appropriate reshuffles. Delegations for Transport will be given to Wopke Hoekstra, formerly responsible for Climate, while Environment and Maritime Policy will go to the Commissioner for the Green Deal, Maros Sefcovic.

Valean will sit in the ranks of the EPP, while Sinkevicius will sit on the Green benches. The resignations tendered by the two commissioners do not have the same date: the Romanian’s exit takes effect today (July 15), while the Lithuanian leaves his post as of July 16. It is the latest in a series of changes to the conformation of the von der Leyen team since the outgoing commission took office.

The reorganization of the community executive was expected. Four commissioners decided to stand in the European elections, winning them. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already warned Parliament and the EU Council of the change in arrangements and the temporary redistribution of portfolios, her staff says.