Education and R&I portfolios to be split between two Commissioners, European Parliament hearings must provide clarity on future coordination

Education, research and innovation are now split between different Commissioners. Roxana Mînzatu is set to become Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness. Under this portfolio, the Romanian politician would be responsible for the European Education Area, the European Universities Initiative and Erasmus+.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s nominee, Ekaterina Zaharieva, is Commissioner-designate for Startups, Research and Innovation. This a very ambitious portfolio that includes delivering a European Research Area Act and a European Innovation Act.

Prior to the announcement, the European University Association had argued for the education, research and innovation portfolios to be kept together. As they will now be divided, it will increase the need for policy coordination across fields within the Commission and with stakeholders like EUA.

During the coming months, Commissioners-designate will be questioned by parliamentarians before the Commission is approved by the European Parliament. EUA will pay close attention during this process and hopes that the hearings will shed more light on coordination between the proposed Commissioners, as well as their vision for these important portfolios.