21 October, Brussels – The European Parliament has backed the appointment of Slovakia’s Maroš Šef?ovi? as Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union. Mr. Šef?ovi? had previously been appointed to the Transport portfolio, but was promoted after Slovenian nominee Alenka Bratusek was rejected for the Vice-Presidential position.
Mr. Šef?ovi? outlined five pillars of his Energy Union plan in his hearing before the European Parliament: energy security, a competitive and integrated energy market, energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and research and innovation. Concretely, he expressed his support for greater energy infrastructure spending, 30% energy efficiency and renewable energy targets, eco-design regulation and funding for carbon capture and storage research.