EU Commission: Von der Leyen changes controversial name of the migration department

It is supposed to be a cross-sectional ministry for migration in the European Commission, but the name originally planned sounded like a threat and a defense: the Greek Margaritis Schinas was to head the business unit "Protecting our European way of life". A department name where there was persistent criticism from the European Parliament.

The outgoing Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had also expressed his displeasure. "Accepting those in Europe from far away is part of the European way of life," Juncker said. "That should be specified."

After a long hesitation, EU Commission President-designate Ursula von der Leyen has come to take a look. It changes the title of the migration area. Instead of "protecting our European way of life", the department of her vice-president Schinas is now called "promoting our European way of life", a spokesman said.

Lifestyle should be "not defended, but encouraged"

Schinas should be responsible inter alia for migration and security among other things. The previous name of the work area brought by the Leyen the charge that they support foreclosure demands in refugee policy and stand up to the extreme right.

Social Democrats, Liberals, Greens and Leftists in the European Parliament had called for a change. "We all agree that the European way of life is a feat we have to preserve," Socialist Group leader Iratxe García said after the decision to rename. "But it does not have to be defended, it has to be promoted."

According to García, her group was able to enforce further name changes. Henceforth, the department of Luxembourg's Nicolas Schmit is henceforth called "jobs and social rights" and not just "jobs". The Lithuanian Virginijus Sinkevicius also get "fishing" to its previous portfolio name "Environment and Oceans". And Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni has the task of controlling the observance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

From the Leyen wants to complete her team finally

In Brussels, concessions from Leyens were also seen in the context of the upcoming parliamentary hearings on Thursday by three substitute candidates from their future commission. The original candidates from France, Romania and Hungary had failed in their review by the EU representatives.

The Frenchman Thierry Breton, the Hungarian Oliver Varhelyi and the Romanian Adina-Ioana Valean had taken a first hurdle on Tuesday. The possible conflicts of interest-examining legal committee in the European Parliament let all three happen.

In the case of the Frenchman Breton, the decision was narrowly narrow with twelve against eleven votes. Leftists and social democrats voted against the longtime economic manager. They pointed out that his former employer works in many areas, for which he will be responsible in the future as Internal Market and Industry Commissioner.

When the three candidates come through, the plenary session of the EU Parliament will be able to vote on the new EU Commission on 27 November. However, a big question mark remains whether, despite the planned withdrawal, the UK will respond to the request for nomination of a commissioner. Von der Leyen was "naturally confident" that her commission will start work on December 1, a month late, said her spokesman.