Europe Von der Leyen nominated for second term as EU Commission President
The European Council has nominated CDU politician Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the EU Commission. The body of heads of state and government of the 27 EU member states also decided that the former Portuguese head of government António Costa will become the next President of the European Council and that the Estonian head of government Kaja Kallas will be appointed as the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs. This was announced by several delegations on Thursday in Brussels on the fringes of an EU summit.
27.06.2024, 23:43
SDA
Thanks to an agreement reached by the major European party families in the middle of the week, it was almost certain even before the start of the summit that the top posts would go to von der Leyen, the Social Democrat Costa and the Liberal Kallas.
The Presidency of the EU Commission is by far the most important position to be filled after the European elections. The incumbent reports to around 32,000 employees who, among other things, make proposals for new EU laws and monitor compliance with the European treaties. In addition, the Commission President sits at the table as the EU representative at almost all major international summits such as the G7 or G20.
European election result was the basis for negotiations
The personnel package is based on the results of the European elections just under three weeks ago. The center-right EPP alliance with CDU politician Ursula von der Leyen as lead candidate achieved by far the best result. She now wants to form an informal coalition in parliament with the second-placed party family of the Social Democrats (S&D) and the Liberals (Renew).
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis led negotiations for the EPP - which also includes the CDU and CSU - while Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez led negotiations for the Social Democrats. The Liberals are relying on French President Emmanuel Macron and outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to lead the negotiations.
Italy's head of government furious about the trial
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among those who expressed anger at the trial. She criticized the fact that she was not directly involved in the talks on the personnel package despite the good results of her party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) in the European elections. Hungary's head of government Viktor Orban also railed against the procedure.
However, their consent was not required, as unanimity was not necessary. Only at least 20 EU states representing at least 65 percent of the EU population had to agree.
At the summit on Thursday, several heads of government attempted to calm the waters and explain that it was not about excluding anyone. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, for example, said: "There is no Europe without Italy and there is no decision without Prime Minister Meloni. That is very clear to me."
Von der Leyen still needs a majority in parliament
In order for Ursula von der Leyen to take up a second term in office, she must now get a majority in Parliament behind her. The informal alliance of the EPP, Social Democrats and Liberals theoretically has a comfortable majority of around 400 of the 720 votes. However, it is considered possible that a certain number of MPs will deviate from the group line in the secret ballot and not vote for the German.
For this reason, von der Leyen is currently also seeking votes from MPs from other parties, in particular the Greens. Representatives of the party have recently repeatedly signaled their willingness to talk.
According to Parliament President Roberta Metsola, the vote in Parliament in Strasbourg could be organized as early as the third week of July.
