Austria's European Affairs Minister Bauer calls for debate on fewer EU Commissioners

Background: Lisbon Treaty and the 2013 Exception

The background to the debate is the Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force in 2009 and generally provides for 18 commissioners with a rotation system. Because Ireland blocked this downsizing at the time, the heads of state and government decided in 2013 on an indefinite exemption allowing each of today's 27 member states to continue sending a commissioner to the EU authority. Currently, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner sits in the Commission for Austria.

Bauer stressed that several portfolios overlap, while others handle tasks that would be better placed with the member states. "Die EU-Kommission ist keine Beschäftigungsagentur," she said. "Mehrere Ressorts überschneiden sich, andere betreffen Aufgaben, die besser bei den Mitgliedstaaten aufgehoben wären." Those who demand a course of austerity from the countries must also save on themselves, "und zwar am Kopf der Behörde," Bauer continued.

Bauer: Course of Austerity Must Also Apply to the EU

The minister also linked the call for a leaner Commission with the ongoing EU budget debate. The member states are under pressure to tighten spending. In Bauer's view, a downsizing of the Commission would send a signal that EU institutions are ready to lead by example.

Reactions on Zelenskyy and Ukraine's Accession

In addition to the question of the number of commissioners, Bauer also commented on Ukraine policy in the interview. She said the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had in recent months "häufiger dadurch aufgefallen, dass er der EU am liebsten ein Beitrittsdatum diktieren möchte" (more frequently drawn attention by wanting to dictate an accession date to the EU). A "Turbobeitritt auf Antrag" (turbo accession on application) "natürlich nicht" (naturally) does not work. Accession must remain tied to the fulfillment of accession criteria.

Bauer's initiative fits into a broader discussion about the efficiency of European institutions. Supporters of downsizing argue that a reduced Commission could decide faster and save costs. Critics point out that the current arrangement preserves the political balance between large and small member states and was politically stabilized by the 2013 exception.

Outlook: Treaty Change as a High Hurdle

The EU Commission itself has so far not publicly commented on Bauer's initiative. Nor was there any initial statement from the European Parliament, which would have to co-decide on a treaty change. The discussion is likely to take more concrete shape in the coming weeks, when national governments coordinate their positions for the next European Council.

One thing is certain: a change in the number of commissioners would require an amendment to the Treaty of Lisbon. That would require the consent of all 27 member states – a politically laborious process, as the example of Ireland in 2009 has shown.