Dan Jørgensen’s Confirmation as Energy and Housing Commissioner

Danish social democrat Dan Jørgensen is on track to becoming the energy and housing commissioner for the European Union, marking a historic moment as he takes on the housing portfolio for the first time in EU history. Meanwhile, the future of Swedish conservative Jessika Roswall remains uncertain after political groups delayed a decision following her underwhelming performance during the confirmatory hearing for the role of environment commissioner designate on Tuesday evening.

Jørgensen navigated his three-hour hearing with ease, adeptly responding to inquiries regarding his known opposition to nuclear energy while advocating for increased renewable energy targets. “Nuclear energy is and will remain an integral component of the European energy mix. Yes, it is part of the solution to decarbonizing the European energy system,” he asserted in his opening remarks. Liberal MEP Christophe Grudler from France (Renew) questioned whether the EU would extend financial support to conventional nuclear power. “I cannot promise that, as you are well aware,” Jørgensen replied.

Regarding small modular reactors, which are being promoted as a timely and localized source of clean energy, he stated his commitment to adhere to the mission letter from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, supporting the goal of deploying these reactors by the 2030s. “Assessing the feasibility of this timeline is likely premature, but that is the ambition we hold,” he commented. Additionally, he cautioned against the risks of reliance on Russia for nuclear fuel supplies.

Power and Independence

Jørgensen pledged to establish an electrification action plan and a strategy aimed at expediting Europe’s transition away from Russian energy sources, particularly concerning the remaining 18% of gas imports, within his first 100 days in office. “Regrettably, I cannot commit to your request on whether we can achieve independence from Russian fuel sources by next year,” he informed Green MEP Michael Bloss, who sought to advance the current end-2027 deadline by two years. “I genuinely wish I could,” he added.

He also expressed his intention to work towards lowering energy prices, emphasizing the essential role of renewable energy, and, given that housing is part of his new commissioner portfolio, he promised a groundbreaking “European affordable housing plan” supported by the European Investment Bank. Following the hearing, Jørgensen received approval from the EPP, S&D, right-wing ECR, and liberal Renew groups, along with support from part of the smaller Left group, which was divided, successfully achieving the required two-thirds majority without significant backing from nationalist and far-right factions.

No U-Turn on the Green Deal

In contrast, Jessika Roswall commenced her own three-hour hearing—lasting until nearly 10 PM—by reaffirming her dedication to implementing critical environmental legislation established during von der Leyen’s first term, particularly the contentious Nature Restoration Law (NRL) and the anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR). The center-right EPP group, from which Roswall hails, narrowly missed blocking the NRL and recently succeeded in securing a one-year delay in the implementation of the EUDR, indicating a potential shift in direction for the former Swedish EU affairs minister.

• EU deforestation backflip: Conservatives cheer, green groups rage

“I will build upon the successful legislation we’ve developed together in the previous term to deliver tangible results,” Roswall assured MEPs. “We must remain steadfast in our commitment to the Green Deal.” “I am fully dedicated to executing this legislation and ensuring its enforcement,” she told a skeptical Pascal Canfin, the former chair of the environment committee from France (Renew).

PFAS Ban…At Some Point

On a significant environmental concern, Roswall addressed the proposed restriction on the so-called ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS, stating her commitment to completely banning them from consumer products. However, when pressed for specifics, she was noncommittal regarding the timeframe: “It is challenging to specify an exact timeline, but I will initiate this process as soon as possible,” she stated. She also indicated that a long-awaited proposal to revise the REACH Regulation, the overarching EU chemicals law, would be tabled in 2025.

Roswall reiterated her commitment to advancing the EU’s circular economy objectives and developing a water resilience strategy in response to escalating climate disruptions—both of which are now part of her new portfolio created by von der Leyen. However, her performance was less assured compared to Jørgensen’s, often resorting to generic responses and repeatedly mentioning the concept of “well-designed nature credits” as a means to financially support conservation efforts, echoing von der Leyen’s recent proposal for a market-based approach to ecosystem protection and restoration.

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Verdict Postponed

Despite Roswall’s appeal to MEPs to trust her commitment to set aside national and political biases if appointed as commissioner, she managed to secure the confidence of her own political group regarding her suitability for the position. “Having an EPP environment commissioner is crucial,” stated Peter Liese, the group’s environment policy coordinator, after the hearing, suggesting she would “transform the atmosphere within the Commission.”

“She will collaborate with farmers and industries, unlike the former environment commissioner and, particularly, Vice-President Timmermans,” he referred to Virginijus Sinkevičius, now a Green MEP for Lithuania, and the Dutch former Director of the Green Deal.

Conversely, Green MEP Jutta Paulus expressed her dissatisfaction on social media, stating she received “no concrete answers” when she sought clarity from Roswall regarding her plans to implement the UN Global Biodiversity Framework signed in 2022 and the Nature Restoration Law. The Left group was even less impressed, with Jonas Sjöstedt of the socialist Vänsterpartiet declaring her performance “incredibly poor” and demanding that the Swedish government propose a new candidate.

Ultimately, only the EPP and the ECR groups, somewhat aligned with its right-wing stance, expressed willingness to endorse Roswall in a closed meeting following the hearing. A decision on the Parliament’s next steps was postponed until 2:30 PM on Wednesday, November 6. Roswall could either be approved, asked to provide further written responses, or face outright rejection, which would compel the Swedish government to nominate another candidate. This scenario could delay the final European Parliament vote on the new Commission as a whole, jeopardizing hopes for a new EU executive to be in place by December.