The Government approved the proposal to submit Kadri Simson as the candidate for European Commissioner

Stenbock House – 6 June 2019

At today’s session, the Government approved the Prime Minister’s proposal to submit Kadri Simson as the candidate for European Commissioner for the next iteration of the Commission as well as the current one, should the seat of the Estonian Commissioner become vacant.

“I am glad that the Government expressed unanimous support for the candidacy of Kadri Simson,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas at today’s Government session. “Kadri Simson has long-term experience in cooperating with the European Commission and other institutions of the Union. As Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure at the time of the Estonian presidency, she managed the areas of the internal market, energy, and transportation in the Council of the European Union with competence, dedication, and great results,” Ratas said, adding that as a result of her work, she is well-known and valued among her colleagues in the government as well as institutions of the European Union.

According to the Prime Minister, it is crucial for the European Commission to stand for a strong and united European Union. A strong and competent Union is also in Estonia’s best interests, noted Ratas in his proposal.

Kadri Simson said that she appreciates the trust in her and is prepared to step in front of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly to introduce her vision on being the next Estonian Commissioner in the European Commission.

“The choice of the Government to submit me as the Estonian candidate for the next membership of the European Commission is a great responsibility that I will not treat lightly. I assure that I am prepared to begin with the work already in the current membership in case Andrus Ansip should transfer to the European Parliament. My current experience as a long-time member of the Riigikogu and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure has prepared me for being successful in the position of the Estonian Commissioner in the European Commission. I certainly gained valuable experience from the successful Estonian presidency in the Council of the European Union, where I had the honour of representing many areas and organising meetings of ministers,” said Simson.

According to the proposal, the Government requests from the Board of the Riigikogu to allow for Kadri Simson to give a presentation at the Riigikogu on 12 June 2019. The Government also orders the Government Office to organise the proposal of her candidacy to the candidate for the President of the European Commission and the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union.

The term of office of the current European Commission ends on 31 October 2019.

A candidate for European Commissioner must meet the requirements laid down in the Treaty of the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Members of the Commission are appointed for five years.