Cecilia Malmström Sweden's candidate for the European Commission
Today the Swedish government nominated Sweden's candidate for the new European Commission. The Swedish candidate is Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström.
Cecilia Malmström is a dedicated European and has a sound personal background", said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt at a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon.
Cecilia Malmström and Fredrik Reinfeldt at the press conference. Photo: Pawel Flato
Margot Wallström has been the Swedish Commissioner for two terms of office. Each term lasts for five years. But now it is time for a new name. Today, Cecilia Malmström is Minister for EU Affairs and has a long history in the academic world as Senior Lecturer and Member of the European Parliament.
Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström. Photo: Gunnar Seijbold
I am incredibly proud and pleased to have been nominated. My commitment to Europe is something that I have had since childhood. The challenges facing Europe; climate change, the economic crisis, cross-border crime and the role of Europe in the world, can only be resolved through strong European cooperation", said Cecilia Malmström at the press conference.
To be approved by the European Parliament
Before the new Commission can take up its work, the European Parliament must approve the whole Commission. With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, each Member State will continue to have one Commissioner. Today there are 27 Commissioners. The Commission is led by a President, José Manuel Barroso. He has received a renewed mandate to also lead the new Commission.
Areas of responsibility
Cecilia Malmström and Fredrik Reinfeldt. Photo: Gunnar Seijbold/Regeringskansliet
The Commissioners are responsible for one or more policy areas. Which policy area Cecilia Malmström will be working with has not yet been decided, but the Prime Minister expressed a wish for legislative policy areas. President of the European Commission Barroso will receive all the Member States' nominations and then pair the policy areas with the various candidates. After this is done, there will be hearings in the European Parliament and then, if all goes well, approval by the Members of the European Parliament.
