Main news from Brussels this week
date: 13/09/2019
President-elect Ursula von der Leyen presented her new Commission team
On 10 September, European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen presented her team and the new structure of the next European Commission. The new Commission is structured around the objectives on which the European Parliament elected von der Leyen for new EC President in July. The new College will have eight Vice-Presidents, including the High-Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Policy (Josep Borrell). The Vice-Presidents are responsible for the top priorities. The Commissioners are at the centre of the structure. They will manage the expertise provided by the Directorates-General. Three Executive Vice-Presidents will have a double function. They will be both Vice-President responsible for one of three core topics of the President-elect's agenda and Commissioners.
EU's satellite navigation system Galileo reaches 1 billion smartphone users
On 10 September, Galileo, Europe's satellite navigation system, reached 1 billion smartphone users worldwide. Since December 2016, Galileo provides so-called “initial services” which already improve everyday life for citizens and businesses with accurate positioning, navigation and timing signals. Today 95% of companies that produce smartphone chips for satellite navigation make chips that enable Galileo. The ‘1 billion users' milestone is based on the number of smartphones using Galileo sold across the world. The actual number of Galileo users is larger. In Europe, all new car models approved for the market are equipped with the eCall system, which uses Galileo to communicate the vehicle's location to emergency services. Since this year, Galileo is integrated in the digital tachographs of lorries – a speed and distance recording device – to ensure driving time rules are respected and to improve road safety.
EU consumers set to benefit from safer online shopping and a wider range of payment services
New EU rules apply as of 14 September that will make it easier and safer for consumers to pay for goods and services online and to manage their personal finances. European consumers will also get better protection against online fraud, and better access to more innovative forms of online and mobile payments. Over time, the new rules will give consumers more choice since new and innovative operators will enter the payment market. With the entry in force of these rules, all elements of the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) are now in place.
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here