Last chance to check out my Lego Berlaymont — and grab a coffee in my office!☕️

Three large "office removal" trucks this morning in front of the European Commission HQ. One for documents, one for furniture, one for Thierry Breton's bruised ego.

Ireland's Michael McGrath gets justice commission

Von der Leyen: "Michael McGrath, he will be the commissioner for democracy, justice and the rule of law. I have entrusted him with the responsibility to take forward the European democracy shield. He will also lead our work on rule of law, anti corruption and consumer protection"

Not clear yet if Sefcovic will continue with UK-EU relations and that supposed reset Labour looking for. But if he has customs in its portfolio, seems likely

NEW COMMISSION - to be ratified by European Parliament of course.

Von der Leyen: "The European green deal, the dominance of this topic is still there so get me right". "It is the major battle of all what we are doing, we just have to look at the extreme weather events, the floods and the fires we experience this summer"

VDL ducks question on Thierry Breton on whether she offered France bigger portfolio if Macron changed his mind on his nomination. Breton quit yesterday. VDL: "the French President has made the decision after having consulted the new French Prime Minister, Michel Barnier"

Just one non-white face, Hadja Lahbib, on the new proposed European Commission. It's a step up from none. But is it defendable by EU member states given the diversity of Europe in 2024 and in 2019 and 2014 and and and ...

Some quick thoughts on EU jobs. - Ribeira gets Competition as well as green deal - so the powerful antitrust powers don't go to a Frenchman who might use them to push for industrial policy - France didn't really get a huge beat, no bigger than one would have expected (...)

Q: Why did Luxembourg get agriculture when it is not an agriculture country (better known for finance) VDL: Very important to remember "commissioners are not the representatives of their countries. They are the representatives of Europe, and our common cause"

Oliver Varhelyi, Hungarian nominee, got health. Why asks this investigate journalists. Others will ask whether he will get backing of the European Parliament

a/2 "they are the political leaders, the role of law is a very important topic for his political affiliation with you and we share all the importance of the rule of law, he will be responsible for consumer rights for example. So, all topics where I think he will excel"

Von Der Leyen reveals 20 countries asked for "strong economic" portfolio including Ireland. Says "the rule of law is a very important topic" for Michael McGrath. "he will be responsible for consumer rights as well" "all topics where I think he will excel".

CONFIRMED: Maros Sefcovic will retain the UK-EU relations portfolio in new European Commission

Tortoise Media makes bid to buy the Observer from the Guardian theguardian.com/media/2024/sep…

Et adieu aussi to the colourful French man Terence Zakka, Thierry Breton's spad... (Brit term for special adviser).

Who got what in the Commission Teresa Ribera gets top role as expected but Austrian gets home affairs while tech regulation (former Breton) goes to three indiviudals Jennifer Rankin theguardian.com/world/2024/sep…

Tech regulation in EU goes to three commissioners euronews.com/next/2024/09/1….

Exclusive: EU fingerprinting at Dover and airports and ports across Schengen area expected to be delayed again after France, NL and Germany said they were not ready. theguardian.com/world/2024/sep…