POTENTIAL THEMATIC CLUSTERS FOR THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION

MEPs have suggested “the establishment of a system of Vice-Presidents of the Commission with responsibilities over major thematic clusters and with competences to coordinate the work of the Commission in the corresponding areas” as a potential option.

Redistributing Commission portfolios into thematic clusters is challenging, given the overlaps between different policy areas. The structure of the Commission should also mirror the overarching challenges of the EU, such as low growth, social divergence or the continuing need to reform and govern the Eurozone.

Portfolios could be reviewed, redistributed and merged to bring the number down to 28 and to streamline responsibilities under each thematic area.

Within this structure, Vice-Presidents would need to have a role which goes beyond merely coordinating the activities in each thematic cluster. They would need to have an explicit role to decide, in conjunction with the Commission President, on the strategic direction of policy within their cluster, working with their portfolio Commissioners. This should also be reflected in the administration, for example having a joint strategy unit for each cluster rather than each portfolio.

A.Current portfolios re-distributed thematically, with 5 new Vice Presidents (suggested by the European Policy Centre (EPC)

President: Strategy & Governance with direct linkage to Financial Programming and Budget and with Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration

1. Vice President Economic and Financial Affairs and the Euro
2. Vice President & High Representative Europe in the World (International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Response; Trade; Development; Enlargement & Neighbourhood)
3. Vice President Solidarity and Cohesion (Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion; Health; Regional Policy)
4. Vice-President Growth (Research, Innovation & Science; Industry and Entrepreneurship; Transport; Digital Agenda)
5. Vice-President Single Market (Taxation, Customs, Statistics, Audit & Anti-Fraud; Competition; Consumer Policy; Internal Market & Services)
6.  Vice-President Citizenship & Mobility (Education, Culture, Multilinguism & Youth; Justice, Fundamental Rights & Citizenship; Home Affairs)
7. Vice President Environment & Natural Resources (Agriculture & Rural Development; Environment; Climate Action; Maritime Affairs & Fisheries; Energy)

B. Current Portfolios merged to reduce the number of Commissioners to the current number

President: Strategy & Governance with direct linkage to Financial Programming and Budget and with Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration

1. Vice-President Economic & Financial Affairs & the Euro (New Executive Agencies: Statistics, Competition, Fiscal Responsibility, Network Regulators, Impact Assessment Board)
2. Vice-President & High Representative Europe in the World (Development, International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Response; Trade; Enlargement & Neighbourhood)
3. Vice-President Solidarity & Cohesion (Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion; Health & Consumer Policy; Regional Policy)
4. Vice-President Growth (Business environment: Digital Agenda, Industry, Energy/Input Costs & Entrepreneurship; Research, Innovation & Science; Transport & Infrastructure Investment)
5. Vice-President Single Market (Internal Market, Taxation & Customs; Competition & Network Industries; Financial Markets & Services)
6. Vice-President Citizenship & Mobility (Education, Culture, Multilinguism & Youth; Justice, Fundamental Rights & Citizenship; Home Affairs)
7. Vice-President Environment & Natural Resources (Environment, Energy & Climate Action; Agricultural, Rural Development; Maritime Affairs & Fisheries.