Brussels, 10 September 2019

Today, the President of the incoming European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen unveiled her proposed team of Commissioners. 

In line with the political priorities of its members – over 4,000 independent music companies across Europe – IMPALA looks forward to working with Margrethe Vestager, who will be in charge of the digital and competition portfolios, Internal Market commissioner Sylvie Goulard who will continue the Commission’s work oncopyright and e-commerce, and Mariya Gabriel as commissioner for “innovation and youth”, who will look after the EU’s culture and research policies. 

The European Parliament now has to approve the proposed Commission, following hearings which will take place between 30 September and 8 October.

IMPALA’s Executive Chair Helen Smith commented: “We look to the European Parliament’s views on the proposals made today. If accepted, Ms. Vestager would be responsible for digital and competition and we would look to her to continue to take a strong stance on digital gatekeepers and scrutinize the proposed sale of shares in Universal Music very closely. Now is the time to increase regulatory scrutiny of online platforms and rethink how strategic shareholdings are assessed in the EU.” 

Helen Smith continued: “We also look forward to working with Ms. Goulard, who will be in charge of copyright and e-commerce under the internal market banner.”

Helen Smith concluded: “Culture will be vital for this commission and it will be the responsibility of Ms. Gabriel. Culture has strategic importance for Europe and although culture does not appear in any of the commissioner-designates’ titles, we expect the commission to take a real industrial policy approach to unlocking the full potential of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors, one of the EU’s main assets.”