Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen has informed President von der Leyen about her confirmation as a candidate in the upcoming Finnish Presidential elections and requested an unpaid electoral leave as of 2 December 2023 until 28 of January 2024 or, if she participates in a second round of voting, until 11 February 2024. The President has granted the unpaid electoral leave to Commissioner Urpilainen underlining that during that period the relevant provisions of the Treaties and the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission continue to apply.
During the period of the temporary withdrawal of Commissioner Urpilainen from the work of the Commission, the President has decided to temporarily assign the portfolio responsibility for International Partnerships to Vice-President Margaritis Schinas. This temporary attribution is in addition to his current responsibilities.
The Commission is also informing the European Parliament and the Council about these temporary changes.
