EU environment commissioner to face tough crowd in Parliament

Sweden’s reputation is preceding its European commissioner — and not in a good way.

Newly charged with the leading the EU’s environment portfolio, Jessika Roswall, from Sweden’s governing conservative Moderate Party, is no stranger to Brussels, having served as minister for EU affairs since 2022.

But she comes from a national government with a less-than-stellar record on advancing EU environmental policy — something that has green-minded members of the European Parliament bristling.

“Giving Roswall the environment portfolio is a bit like putting an arsonist in charge of the fire brigade,” said Swedish far-left MEP Jonas Sjöstedt via email. “The current Swedish government has consistently failed to meet EU climate targets, while at the same time, it is defunding climate action.”

While the former lawyer doesn’t have a background in environmental policy — something that’s raised a few eyebrows in Brussels — Roswall’s task at her upcoming parliamentary hearing will be to convince MEPs that she won’t drag Sweden’s Green Deal beef into the EU executive.

“That Sweden has been given responsibility for the EU’s environmental work is worrying considering how the government has driven Swedish environmental work to the bottom,” said Green MEP Alice Bah Kuhnke in a written comment to Swedish media.

The Swedes’ bad rep

Over the past two years, Sweden hasn’t been the European Green Deal’s most ardent supporter.

Ruled by a coalition of three right-wing political parties, with support from the far-right, the country fought against anti-deforestation rules set up by the EU and the Nature Restoration Law, sending letters to other member countries to bring them on side. It has repeatedly criticized EU forest policy for being too interventionist, fighting to have national governments keep the upper hand on managing their forests.

The country also isn’t on track to meet its climate goals, according to a 2024 report by the Swedish Climate Policy Council, following policy changes made by the current government.

And while EU commissioners aren’t meant to represent their countries’ interests, in practice EU capitals do influence their picks.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Tuesday celebrated the nomination, pointing out that Roswall will oversee forestry-related issues — “crucial for Sweden’s growth and climate transition” — nodding to the country’s ability to influence what is a sensitive issue for the forested country.

That hasn’t gone unnoticed by pro-Green-Deal lawmakers.

“I will use the upcoming hearings to have clarity,” said Renew MEP Pascal Canfin on social media. “Sweden voted against the law to restore nature and didn’t support imported deforestation regulation. We will have to make sure she acts as true [EU] commissioner.”

For now, the jury’s out. MEPs are eagerly awaiting the parliamentary hearing — which all nominated commissioners have to go through — to nail down her allegiances.

“We definitely need to find out more on her ambitions and her position,” said Swedish Green MEP Pär Holmgren in a phone interview. “I wouldn’t say already now in mid-September, that she won’t be able to stand up to the occasion and deliver — but if she were to do that then she really needs to … raise her ambition compared to the Swedish government.”