Statement on the temporary withdrawal of Executive Vice-President Vestager from the work of the Commission

Executive Vice-President Vestager has informed President von der Leyen about her nomination as an official candidate by the Danish government for the position of President of the Management Committee of the European Investment Bank and requested an unpaid leave for the duration of the campaign. The President has granted the unpaid leave to Executive Vice-President Vestager underlining that during that period the relevant provisions of the Treaties and the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission continue to apply.

During the period of the temporary withdrawal of Executive Vice-President Vestager from the work of the Commission, the President has decided to assign the steering and coordination responsibility for ‘A Europe Fit for the digital age' to Vice-President Jourová, and the portfolio responsibility for Competition to Commissioner Reynders, who will report directly to the President for this responsibility. The President has also decided to temporarily assign the portfolio responsibility for Innovation and Research to Vice-President Schinas until a new Member of the Commission replacing Former Commissioner Gabriel is appointed.

The Commission is also informing the European Parliament and the Council about these temporary changes.