European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is seeking to expand the powers of her executive office by centralizing responsibilities currently held by several sector-specific departments.
The European Commission’s Secretariat-General, widely regarded as the administrative hub of von der Leyen’s office, is set to gain nine additional senior positions as part of a broader institutional restructuring effort, POLITICO reports.
The move comes as the Commission prepares its next seven-year budget framework for 2028–2034, a financial package expected to exceed €1.8 trillion.
According to draft proposals, a substantial share of EU funds traditionally allocated to agricultural policy and regional development could be redirected toward supporting the bloc’s defence industry. At the same time, the European Commission is urging member states to approve an expansion of the overall EU budget.
The planned reforms would significantly increase the Secretariat-General’s role in overseeing EU spending, granting it broader authority over budgetary management and implementation, the report said.
Von der Leyen intends to transfer certain responsibilities currently held by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy to the Secretariat-General, further consolidating decision-making powers within her office.
In addition, sources cited by the publication said the Commission president has developed plans to strengthen the Secretariat-General department responsible for administering the EU’s post-pandemic recovery funds. Those resources, originally created to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19, could increasingly be redirected toward defence-related initiatives.
The proposed changes would further enhance von der Leyen’s influence within the European Union’s executive branch, reinforcing the central role of her office in shaping policy priorities and overseeing the bloc’s financial resources.
By Vafa Guliyeva
