Following a debate with Ursula von der Leyen on her new team and programme, members of the European Parliament approved the second von der Leyen Commission by 370 votes for, 282 against, 36 abstentions. After its formal appointment by the European Council via a qualified majority, the new European Commission is expected to take up its duties on 1 December 2024.

Austria’s Magnus Brunner will be the new Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration. As outlined in President von der Leyen’s mission letter Commissioner Brunner is inter alia expected to:

• Oversee the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, developing a new and common approach on the return of irregular migrants, and leading the work in the fight against migrant smuggling.
   
• Promote integrated border management, strengthening Frontex, and working on ensuring a fully functional European digital border management.

For further details, please read the press release from the European Parliament and from the European Commission.