Finland is set to have a new representative in the European Commission as Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that MEP Henna Virkkunen will be the country’s candidate. According to Orpo, Virkkunen is a known team player and an expert in EU affairs with two terms of experience in the European Parliament. He expressed confidence in her qualifications for the role.
Orpo emphasized the importance of meeting citizens’ expectations in the EU, especially with regards to security, competitiveness and upholding the rule of law. He also highlighted Finland’s commitment to being pro-European and thanked voters for their trust in recent elections.
Finland has set its priorities for the next term of the commission, including strengthening security, improving competitiveness and promoting bioeconomy. The center-right EPP, which Orpo’s coalition belongs to, is expected to remain Europe’s largest group after the upcoming elections.
During a press conference, Orpo and Virkkunen discussed Finland’s stance on negotiations for commissioner portfolios without revealing specific details about the process. They emphasized that security and competitiveness are key priorities for Finland. They also mentioned that there may be a possibility of a defense commissioner position with a focus on defense industry and member states’ responsibilities. The decision on who will become Commission President is expected to be made between 16th and 19th September during nomination process.
Overall, both Orpo and Virkkunen expressed optimism about Finland’s chances in upcoming negotiations while emphasizing cooperation with other European leaders and political groups. While they acknowledged support for Ursula von der Leyen as a potential candidate for another term as Commission President they also highlighted the need for approval from both European Council and Parliament before any decision can be made.
