European Commissioner for Internal Market

European Commissioner for Internal Market is a member of the European Commission responsible for developing and implementing policies related to the Internal Market of the European Union. The Commissioner works closely with other Commissioners, such as the European Commissioner for Competition, European Commissioner for Trade, and European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, to promote a unified and competitive market across the European Union. The Commissioner also collaborates with European Parliament committees, including the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, to ensure that policies are aligned with the interests of European citizens and European businesses. The Commissioner's work is also influenced by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Single European Act.

● Introduction

The European Commissioner for Internal Market plays a crucial role in shaping the economic policies of the European Union, working closely with other Commissioners, such as the European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, and European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality. The Commissioner's responsibilities include promoting the free movement of goods, services, and capital across the European Union, as well as ensuring that European companies operate on a level playing field. The Commissioner also works with national governments, such as the Government of France, Government of Germany, and Government of the United Kingdom, to implement policies and legislation related to the Internal Market. Additionally, the Commissioner engages with European institutions, including the European Court of Justice, European Central Bank, and European Investment Bank, to ensure that policies are consistent with European law and European regulations.

● Role and Responsibilities

The European Commissioner for Internal Market has a wide range of responsibilities, including developing and implementing policies related to the single market, competition policy, and consumer protection. The Commissioner works closely with the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs to promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium-sized enterprises across the European Union. The Commissioner also collaborates with other European Commission departments, such as the Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union and the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, to ensure that policies are aligned with the interests of European citizens and European businesses. The Commissioner's work is also influenced by the Lisbon Treaty and the Maastricht Treaty, which have shaped the development of the Internal Market.

● History of

the Portfolio The portfolio of the European Commissioner for Internal Market has undergone significant changes since its creation in 1958. The first Commissioner to hold the portfolio was Piero Malvestiti, who played a key role in shaping the early development of the Internal Market. Subsequent Commissioners, such as Wilhelm Haferkamp and Guido Colonna di Paliano, have continued to build on this work, promoting the free movement of goods, services, and capital across the European Union. The portfolio has also been influenced by major events, such as the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty, which have shaped the development of the Internal Market. Other notable Commissioners who have held the portfolio include Martin Bangemann, Frits Bolkestein, and Charlie McCreevy, who have all played important roles in shaping the Internal Market policies of the European Union.

● List of Commissioners

The following is a list of European Commissioners who have held the portfolio for Internal Market: Piero Malvestiti (1958-1959), Wilhelm Haferkamp (1959-1967), Guido Colonna di Paliano (1967-1970), Wilhelm Haferkamp (1970-1973), Finn Olav Gundelach (1973-1977), Étienne Davignon (1977-1981), Karl-Heinz Narjes (1981-1985), Arias Cañete (1986-1988), Martin Bangemann (1989-1994), Mario Monti (1995-1999), Frits Bolkestein (1999-2004), Charlie McCreevy (2004-2010), Michel Barnier (2010-2014), Elżbieta Bieńkowska (2014-2019), and Thierry Breton (2019-present). These Commissioners have worked with various European Commission Presidents, including Walter Hallstein, Jean Rey, Franco Maria Malfatti, Sicco Mansholt, François-Xavier Ortoli, Roy Jenkins, Gaston Thorn, Jacques Delors, Jacques Santer, Romano Prodi, José Manuel Barroso, and Jean-Claude Juncker.

● Current Commissioner

The current European Commissioner for Internal Market is Thierry Breton, who took office in 2019. Commissioner Breton has a strong background in business and industry, having previously served as the CEO of Atos and France Télécom. He has also held various government positions, including Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry in the Government of France. As Commissioner, Breton has prioritized the development of the single market, promoting the free movement of goods, services, and capital across the European Union. He has also emphasized the importance of digitalization and innovation in driving economic growth and competitiveness across the European Union.

● Policy Initiatives and Legislation

The European Commissioner for Internal Market has been involved in a range of policy initiatives and legislation aimed at promoting the development of the Internal Market. These include the Single European Act, which aimed to complete the single market by 1992, and the Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union and laid the foundations for the development of the Internal Market. The Commissioner has also been involved in the development of key legislation, such as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Regulation (EU) 2019/515 on the mutual recognition of goods lawfully marketed in another Member State. Additionally, the Commissioner has promoted initiatives such as the Digital Single Market and the Capital Markets Union, which aim to promote economic growth and competitiveness across the European Union. The Commissioner has also worked with other European institutions, including the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, to develop policies and legislation related to the Internal Market.