Since 2018, Teresa Ribera, a Madrid-born member of the PSOE, has led the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. Her tenure has repeatedly brought her into conflict with Alicante’s farming community, particularly over cuts to the Tagus-Tajo-Segura water transfer. The farmers have accused her administration of mismanagement and harm to Alicante’s agriculture, arguing it has dealt a severe blow to the local sector. Despite these tensions, Ribera has not faded from the European stage. Ursula von der Leyen named her as Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Europe and as the Commissioner responsible for Competition, signaling the EU’s confidence in her ability to navigate complex policy terrains. (Source: European Commission materials)
That nomination places Ribera at the center of a European team expected to play a decisive role in shaping the EU’s industrial policy. The moment is particularly consequential given the broader geopolitical context: Russia’s war in Ukraine, accelerating climate challenges, and growing concerns about European competitiveness next to the United States and China. Ribera would be the only socialist with a senior portfolio in a Commission that has, in practice, leaned to the right. Her appointment would see her replace Josep Borrell in a high-profile post, with responsibilities that touch on merger reviews, antitrust enforcement, and state aid oversight. (Source: European Commission materials)
Von der Leyen described Ribera’s remit as guiding work to keep Europe on track toward climate targets and to decarbonize and industrialize the economy simultaneously. In the Spanish government, Ribera serves as the third Deputy Prime Minister and minister for Ecological Transition, having led the PSOE’s European Parliament list in the most recent elections held on June 9. Her affiliation with PSOE since 2011 has earned her international recognition that contrasts with how Alicante’s agrarian sector views her, partly due to the Iberian exception, the mechanism that limits gas prices to generate electricity in Spain and Portugal. (Source: European Commission materials)
Her responsibilities underscore the European Union’s intent to unite environmental objectives with competitiveness, so that climate action goes hand in hand with industrial growth rather than becoming a drag on growth. Ursula von der Leyen described Ribera’s job as steering work to ensure Europe stays on track to meet the Green Deal goals and to decarbonize and industrialize the economy at the same time. Alongside Ribera and the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, the new leadership includes vice presidents Roxana Minzatu, Henna Virkkunen, Stéphane Séjourne, and Raffaele Fitto. The team is designed to coordinate the energy, climate, and environmental portfolios, aligning cross-cutting policy areas to push the EU forward. (Source: European Commission materials)