Sweden nominates its first-ever centre-right EU commissioner

The Swedish government has nominated Jessika Roswall as Sweden’s next European Commissioner, making her the first member of Sweden’s Moderate Party (EPP) to be so nominated, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference on Monday.

Roswall, currently Sweden’s EU affairs minister, will replace Social Democrat Ylva Johansson, who has held the post since 2019 and is due to begin work in Brussels in late autumn.

“It is an honourable assignment,” said Roswall during the press conference on Monday.

While her portfolio will be decided following a series of negotiations, Roswall and Kristersson had some comments on the matter.

“From the Swedish side, this government has prioritised making Sweden safer, freer and greener since the start,” said Roswall.

Kristersson did not want to rule out any portfolio but believes that Sweden should focus on issues where it has credibility for historical reasons or where it wants to have influence for strategic reasons.

“There are 27 countries that all want the heaviest portfolio. That is always the case. But the broad economic competitiveness, geopolitical and law enforcement issues – there are quite a few places where we can make a difference,” he said.

If Roswell survives the usually tough hearings in the European Parliament, it will be the first time in Sweden’s 28 years in the EU that a Moderate (EPP) will be appointed commissioner, as Sweden’s previous three commissioners were from the Social Democratic Party and one from the Liberals.

(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)

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