MEPs set to approve new EU executive to take office on December 1

MEPs are expected on Wednesday to finally approve a new executive European Commission under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen after delays and disagreements.

Von der Leyen needs a simple majority among lawmakers in the 751-member European Parliament for her team to start work on Dec. 1 dealing with a daunting array of challenges including climate change, economic reform and migration.

The new executive had been due to take office on Nov. 1 but the politically fragmented European Parliament rejected three of the nominees, forcing a delay. The executive comprises one commissioner from each EU member state, though Britain, which is due to exit the bloc, has declined to name a representative.

Von der Leyen, 61, a former German defense minister and close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, will be the first woman ever to hold the EU’s top job.

There have also been legal uncertainties since the UK has refused to name a commissioner. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the UK has to wait until after the general election on December 12. After all, Brexit is due to happen on January 31.

EU lawyers have concluded that Ursula von der Leyen can start her work with 26 commissioners. As one EU diplomat put it, “We’re going ahead as there is no precedence. Brexit is new territory for everybody.” Nonetheless, just in case, the EU did launch legal proceedings against the UK for breaching its treaty obligations; the UK government might eventually have to defend itself before the European Court of Justice. If Brexit does not happen, the UK will still be able to nominate a commissioner for whom von der Leyen will have to find a job.

Via Reuters