Czech EU commissioner will not let up on rule of law

Subject

The appointment of a Czech commissioner to oversee the rule of law in the EU.

Significance

Vera Jourova has been nominated as one of the European Commission’s eight vice-presidents and as commissioner for the values and transparency portfolio. Doubts have been raised about her suitability for the post and about whether she will deal firmly with Central-East European (CEE) member states accused of rule-of-law violations and democratic backsliding.

Impacts

• As one of the few CEE politicians in a senior position, Jourova has a chance to become more prominent in Brussels.
• Among her responsibilities will be tackling hate speech and disinformation, which have become salient issues recently.
• Jourova could use her position to build bridges between Europe’s east and west, and north and south.