The Commissioner for International Partnerships has requested unpaid leave from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as she stands to run in Finland’s upcoming presidential election. After that, Ursula von der Leyen assigns additional responsibilities to the vice-president of the Commission, Margaritis Schina, who will also be responsible for International Corporate Relations in addition to the duties he already has in his portfolio.

In particular, as the Commission states in its announcement, the Juta Urpilainen informed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of her confirmation as a candidate in the upcoming Finnish presidential election and requested unpaid electoral leave from 2 December 2023 to 28 January 2024, or if participating in a second round of voting, until 11 February 2024 .The president granted the electoral leave without pay to Commissioner Urpilainen, underlining that during this period the relevant provisions of the Treaties and the Code of Conduct for the members of the Commission continue to apply.

During the period of the Commissioner’s temporary retirement, Ursula von der Leyen decided to temporarily assign the portfolio responsibility for International Corporate Relations to vice-president Margaritis Schinas. This temporary performance is in addition to his current duties.

The committee will also inform the European Parliament and the Council about these temporary changes.