An internal proposal presented at a Monday meeting and obtained by Politico outlines a set of organisational reforms for the European Commission: relocating some officials to member-state capitals, speeding up recruitment procedures, accelerating promotions ahead of a retirement wave, and preparing the institution to use artificial intelligence.
Key elements of the proposal
- Reassigning a number of officials from the Brussels headquarters to the capitals of the 27 member states to strengthen ties between the Commission and national administrations.
- Faster promotion of younger management to address an upcoming wave of retirements.
- Preparing the institution technically and organisationally for the deployment of artificial intelligence.
- Accelerating recruitment, with particular criticism of the current system managed by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).
A senior official involved in the review stressed that the plans do not aim to reorganise or abolish the Commission’s 41 directorates-general, nor do they envisage staff reductions. The emphasis is on preventing staff from becoming siloed within their own units and on enabling smoother cross-unit cooperation.
Staffing figures and recruitment plans
According to the proposals, the Commission plans to recruit an additional 1,500 staff under the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) starting in 2028; other EU institutions would create roughly 1,000 additional posts. Piotr Serafin, Commissioner for Budget and Administration, reminded that the Commission currently employs about 1,500 fewer people than in 2014, even though its responsibilities have expanded significantly.
Serafin singled out recruitment as one of the weakest points: he said the time from application to first pay can take two to three years, which undermines efforts to attract top talent.
Senior posts and potential succession
Several senior positions are expected to become vacant in the coming months. The Politico report names Gert Jan Koopman, the Dutch official heading the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), as one such post; Michael Karnitschnig and Despina Spanou have been mentioned as possible successors.
Timeline and objectives
The broader review, launched last year, aims to make the Commission a more attractive and effective employer. Final recommendations will be submitted to President Ursula von der Leyen by the end of 2026. If adopted, the package would represent the most comprehensive organisational review at the Commission in over two decades.
Why this matters
The Commission’s mandate has expanded in recent years — from trade tensions with Washington and Beijing to support for Ukraine — placing new demands on its operations. The proposed organisational and recruitment reforms seek to ensure the institution can meet growing responsibilities, boost operational efficiency and attract the expertise needed for priorities such as AI deployment.
(Cover image source: EU)
