How von der Leyen's people are rising through the ranks

A Politico analysis points to a clear pattern in how Ursula von der Leyen’s team advances senior EU officials through the Commission. Since 2023, 10 of 19 appointments to top posts in non-technical directorates-general went to people with prior experience in von der Leyen’s cabinet, a task force under her authority, or a presidential service. The latest example is Paulina Dejmek Hack, named last week to run the financial services department after two weeks as deputy. She previously worked on the Brexit task force in the Secretariat-General. Others tracked as potential next contenders include Fernando Andresen Guimaraes and Anthony Whelan.