European Commission policy priorities

March 28, 2025

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This overview by Open Access Government examines the priorities of three departments within the European Commission. It covers topics such as tech sovereignty, security and democracy, social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness, as well as the cohesion and reforms portfolios

President Ursula von der Leyen, who has spearheaded the European Commission since 2019, began her second term with a new team of Commissioners on 1st December 2024, marking the Van der Leyen Commission for 2024-2029. During her first term, the Commission tackled significant challenges, including a global pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

For the 2024-2029 period, President von der Leyen and the new College of Commissioners have set out priorities based on the Political Guidelines presented to the European Parliament at her election. These priorities aim to build on past achievements and strengthen Europe’s future while delivering results for its citizens. (1)

Tech sovereignty, security and democracy policy

As the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen is responsible for addressing the European Union’s (EU) increasingly complex security threats while bolstering internal security and external borders. This role is closely tied to her commitment to strengthening freedoms, democracy and justice.

Henna Virkkunen also oversees the Digital and Frontier Technologies portfolio, which involves leading Europe’s initiatives to create a competitive, inclusive and resilient digital future and maintaining or achieving strategic digital technologies leadership. To accomplish these goals, she will manage the progress towards reaching Europe’s 2030 Digital Decade targets, including a review of the implementation strategy and digital targets in 2026.

Executive Vice-President Virkkunen will also work on developing a new Digital Networks Act aimed at enhancing secure high-speed broadband access, both wireless and fixed. Additionally, she will ensure that the Commission takes prompt and effective enforcement actions under the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act when needed. (2)

On 21st February 2025, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen presented a Joint Communication to enhance submarine cables’ security and resilience. This initiative is critical, as these cables connect EU Member States, link islands to the mainland, and carry 99% of intercontinental internet traffic. Recent incidents have threatened essential services within the EU, prompting this response.

The Joint Communication focuses on several key measures:

Prevention: Strengthening security requirements and funding for advanced cables to increase resilience.

Detection: Improving threat-monitoring capabilities in different sea basins to enable quicker alerts and responses.

Response and recovery: Enhancing the EU’s crisis framework for swift action and increasing repair capacity for damaged cables.

Deterrence: Implementing sanctions against hostile actors and promoting ‘cable diplomacy’ with global partners.

“In response to growing geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions such as the Baltic Sea, the European Commission is taking decisive action to safeguard our critical submarine cable infrastructure. With this Action Plan, we are taking a significant step forward to strengthen their security. We want to make sure Europe is equipped not only to prevent and detect sabotage to cables but also to actively deter, repair and respond to any threat to critical infrastructure that is key to our economy and collective security,” Executive VicePresident Virkkunen said.

The Commission and the High Representative will roll out specific actions in 2025 and 2026, including mapping submarine cable infrastructures and conducting a Coordinated Risk Assessment. By the end of 2025, they will present a Cable Security Toolbox and a prioritised list of Cable Projects of European Interest. (3)

Social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness policy

As Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs, and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu is responsible for strengthening Europe’s human capital, encompassing skills, education, culture, and sport. Her role involves directing the European Pillar of Social Rights to address skills and labour gaps, concentrating on training and education while striving to create a Union of equality that fosters a social model and a fairer society.

Additionally, she guides efforts to support young people and ensure fairness across generations through initiatives such as Erasmus+, Youth Policy Dialogues, and improved mental health support for youth. She also focuses on enhancing the European Sport Model and promoting culture while instilling a culture of preparedness to help individuals adapt to risks and changes.

Roxana Mînzatu oversees the portfolio of social rights, jobs, skills, and education. She is committed to ensuring that our social market economy facilitates the transformation of industries and societies, completing the Single Market, delivers quality jobs, promotes greater equality, and helps lift more people out of poverty. Furthermore, she leads efforts on the Union of Skills, emphasising investment, adult and lifelong learning, training, vocational education, skill retention and recognition, and “enhancing skills intelligence”. (4)

The Union of Skills aims to empower individuals across Europe, from school children to retirees, by equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed. It also promotes the portability of skills throughout the continent, facilitating the free movement of innovation and knowledge. In the future, the Commission will roll out a pilot program called the Skills Guarantee.

This initiative will provide workers experiencing restructuring or at risk of unemployment the chance to further their careers in a different sector or company. Additionally, the EU plans to strengthen and streamline the EU Skills Academies, which seek to deliver the skills businesses need for the Clean Industrial Deal and the green transition.

Summing up the initiative, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu said, “The Union of Skills is our strategy to help people stay ahead in a rapidly changing world and keep Europe competitive and fair. We, in Europe, put people first because the success of every person in learning, at work and in life is essential for competitiveness and for a stable and resilient Union.”

The Commission proposes several new targets to be achieved by 2030:

The proportion of students underachieving in mathematics, literacy, science and digital skills should be less than 15%. Meanwhile, at least 15% of students should demonstrate top literacy, mathematics, and science performance.
At least 45% of students enrolled in initial medium-level vocational education and training (VET) should be studying in STEM fields, with at least 25% being female.’
In third-level education, at least 32% of students should be enrolled in STEM fields, and at least 40% should be female.
The proportion of students enrolled in ICT PhD programs must be at least 5%, with a target of having at least one in three female students. (5)

European Commission cohesion and reforms policy

Raffaele Fitto serves as the Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms. His primary role is to ensure that the EU continues to support investments and reforms that strengthen European growth. Additionally, he works collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the full execution of NextGenerationEU while engaging in dialogue with stakeholders and local and regional authorities.

Fitto is also tasked with making European regional economies and societies more sustainable, resilient, and better prepared for future challenges. This includes guiding work on sustainable mobility and tourism. Furthermore, Raffaele Fitto oversees cohesion policy, regional development, and urban issues. He ensures that Europe invests in and supports Member States, regions, local authorities, and citizens.

Fitto is also responsible for cohesion policy, regional development and cities. In this vein, he takes charge of “designing a strengthened, modernised cohesion and growth policy, working in partnership with national, regional and local authorities” and for advancing an ambitious policy agenda for cities that addresses climate action, housing, mobility, social inclusion, digitalisation and equality issues. (6)

On 14th January 2025, the Commission opened applications for two awards celebrating creativity and innovation inspired by the New European Bauhaus (NEB). These awards include the fifth edition of the New European Bauhaus Prizes and the new NEB Boost for Small Municipalities. Creatives, visionaries, and changemakers from Europe and beyond can submit innovative projects and ideas that transform how we live and interact with our environment.

Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, shares key insights about the 2025 NEB Prizes. “I am very glad that Cohesion Policy keeps supporting the New European Bauhaus 2025 prizes and now the new NEB Boost for Small Municipalities. These awards open yet another opportunity for Europeans all over the EU to show their best innovative creations for a better future that is simultaneously beautiful, inclusive and sustainable. These objectives are very much in line with Cohesion Policy’s mission of promoting a cohesive Europe benefitting all regions and communities.” (7)

EU policy analysis: Closing remarks

We extend our best wishes to the 2024-2029 Commission as they embark on their important policy work. We recognise the challenges and opportunities ahead as they implement their comprehensive policies. These include vital initiatives focused on ensuring tech sovereignty, enhancing security, protecting democratic values, and advancing social rights and skills development. We are optimistic about these efforts’ positive impact on European communities and look forward to seeing the progress made during this 2024-2029 term. (2-7)