- After the European elections, the heads of state and government of the European Union will discuss the future top personnel of the EU.
- At the summit in Brussels, those involved were unable to reach a final agreement on the new appointments to top EU posts.
- Ursula von der Leyen cannot yet be entirely sure whether she will be nominated for a second term as President of the EU Commission.
- Another summit will take place at the end of next week, where the top positions will again be discussed.
In order for von der Leyen to be able to run for a second term, she must be proposed as a candidate to Parliament by the heads of state and government with a qualified majority. In addition to the 13 heads of state and government who, like von der Leyen, belong to the EPP party family, at least three other heads of large member states must vote for her.
Legend:
The heads of state and government of the European Union have not yet been able to agree on a new appointment to the top EU posts, says Council President Charles Michel.
Keystone / Olivier Hoslet
For the necessary elections in the European Parliament, it is dependent on the support of other party families such as the Social Democrats and Liberals, who became the second and third strongest forces behind the EPP in the European elections. In return, they can expect to be allowed to fill other top posts.
Quick decision?
The liberal Dutchman Mark Rutte already seems convinced: “I think she is an excellent candidate for the next legislative period.” French President Emmanuel Macron was seen as someone who might question von der Leyen. However, after the EU election defeat against the French right-wing extremists, he is currently making no moves to shake up the EU structure.
Social Democrat Scholz also appeared in interviews to be open to supporting von der Leyen. Although he did not publicly support von der Leyen before the summit, he said that the European elections had brought a “stable majority” for the center-right EPP alliance, the Social Democrats and the Liberals. He was therefore quite certain that an understanding could be reached between the political families and countries in the shortest possible time.
Legend:
Ursula von der Leyen wants to remain Commission President. To be nominated again for the most powerful post by the heads of state and government, she needs at least three votes from non-conservatives.
Reuters/Johanna Geron
Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni initially kept her decision open. “The proposal is a matter for the EPP, and when it is complete, we will make our assessments,” she said at the end of the G7 summit in southern Italy. For her, it is important that Italy is “adequately” considered in the new Commission. It must also be clear “that Europe has understood the message of the European elections.”
Position: Council President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs
At the meeting of heads of state and government, negotiations will also take place on the future president of the European Council and the post of EU foreign policy chief. Former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa is currently considered a possible candidate for the post of Council President. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is being discussed as the new EU foreign policy chief.
Like Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Costa belongs to the party family of the Socialists and Social Democrats, while Kallas, like French President Emmanuel Macron, is a member of the Liberals.
Regular summit at the end of next week
At the end of next week, the heads of state and government will meet again in Brussels, this time for a regular summit. Ideally, the personnel planning will already be finalized and only needs to be formally confirmed.