While decisions regarding the composition and role of the Commission will be determined by the new president, it has been confirmed that President von der Leyen is highly supportive of the proposal.

It is expected that von der Leyen will announce her intention to seek a second term during a political meeting with her party, the CDU, in Germany on Monday.

If she secures the approval of EU member states for another term at the helm of the Commission, she will then decide on the allocation of portfolios in her future team, including the potential position in the defence sector.

According to the publication, contenders for the position of the new Commissioner include the Polish Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, or the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas.

One of the competencies of the new Commissioner for Defence could be the EU’s role in industrial policy, aimed at meeting common needs in ammunition and investing EU funds in arms development programs distributed among several countries.

Before her appointment as President of the European Commission, 65-year-old Ursula von der Leyen headed the German Ministry of Defence.

It is expected that her candidacy for re-appointment to her current top position in the EU executive body will be supported by the majority of member states.

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