This autumn is set to bring a wave of new faces to Brussels and Strasbourg, along with a host of crucial new policies and milestones, following an intense summer marked by key defining political events, some of which hold particular significance for the low-carbon energy research community.

Last June, around 360 million Europeans were called to the polls to elect 720 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for the next five years, resulting in a new political landscape. Although the balance of the previous term emerged as broadly maintained – “the centre holds”, as said by many analysts – with the European People's Party (EPP) performing strongly and the Social Democrats (S&D) maintaining their positions, notable changes include a decline in support for the Greens and Liberals, alongside a surge in right-wing factions.  

With the power dynamics in mind, Ursula von der Leyen, the outgoing President of the European Commission, addressed the European Parliament during its first plenary session on 18 July, seeking re-election for a second term. On this occasion, she presented the “Political Guidelines”, a strategic document reflecting her vision for the Commission’s priorities over the next five years. Subsequently re-elected based on this programme, von der Leyen’s vision now provides a clear blueprint for the direction of travel for the forthcoming College of Commissioners, which will take office this winter.

Competitiveness, which had increasingly taken centre stage before the European Parliament elections, is unsurprisingly a focal point of the publication. Eroded over the years in favour of the United States and, increasingly, China, the document underscores the crucial role of achieving the clean energy transition, implementing the European Green Deal, and placing renewed emphasis on research and innovation as key drivers for restoring Europe’s competitive edge. This aspect, vital for the EERA community, is further detailed in the Guidelines, which call for increased research funding, a stronger focus on fundamental research, disruptive innovation, and scientific excellence, as well as advocate for a “Clean Industrial Deal” to boost investment in clean energy infrastructure and technologies. Given its strategic relevance, EERA is currently analysing this key programmatic document and will soon issue a statement on it.

Following Ursula von der Leyen's re-election as President of the European Commission for a second term and the release of her Political Guidelines, the return to business after the summer was further marked by the establishment of an expanded Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) in the European Parliament. Now comprising 90 members, it ranks among the largest committees, highlighting the increased political focus on competitiveness, the energy transition, and research and innovation in this new EU institutional term.

Competitiveness will also be a central theme in Mario Draghi’s highly anticipated report, which is now expected next week after several delays and much speculation regarding its release date. Meanwhile, the political agenda is currently focused on finalising the allocation of seats for the new College of Commissioners, a process entering a critical phase following the submission of candidates by Member States, with the outcome set to have significant implications for the EERA community as the appointments will profoundly influence the energy, climate, and R&I portfolios.

On this front, while nothing is certain yet, a few prominent names have started to circulate. Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen, a former S&D MEP, is for example considered a leading candidate for an environmental-related portfolio. For the energy role, the Czech Republic’s Josef Síkela (EPP), currently Minister of Industry and Trade, is a leading contender, while Spain’s Teresa Ribera (S&D), former Minister for the Ecological Transition and another potential candidate for the post, is now tipped to become the EU’s next Climate chief. The Research and Innovation (R&I) portfolio, previously held by Bulgaria, remains open with no clear favourite.

As the new EU institutional term takes shape, recent political developments have reinforced the direction set in the past months to gear the European Green Deal towards competitiveness and implementation, while still, though importantly, maintaining a firm commitment to making Europe the first net-zero continent by 2050. In this evolving political landscape, EERA will closely monitor and actively engage in the political debate to ensure this key goal remains in focus, in line with its mission.  

Upcoming key political appointments for the autumn, alongside those already mentioned, include discussions on the EU’s 2040 carbon emission reduction target, COP29 negotiations, and the design of the EU’s next research framework programme—critical areas where the EERA community will continue to offer its expertise and advise European policymakers. Finally, a significant moment for the EERA community will come at its High-Level Policy Conference on 16 October, where it will present its perspective on competitiveness and unveil its annual flagship report on the topic, setting the stage for crucial discussions with key stakeholders across the EU institutional, industrial, and R&I ecosystems.