After the elections to the European Parliament, the 27 leaders are preparing to debate the political leadership of the bloc for the next five years.
Ursula von der Leyenthe acting president of the European Comission who aspires to secure a second termwill be absent from the room when leaders meet Monday for a debate informal on the main positions of the European Union.
These negotiations are the chapter immediately after the elections to the European Parliament and they will decide the political leadership of the block for next five years.
The positions at stake are those of president of the European Comissionpresident of European Council y High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. He Department should be done (at least, in theory) according to the results of the elections, taking into account the political, geographical and gender balance.
He European People’s Party (EPP), center-right, obtained a comfortable victory of 190 seats, so its main candidate, Ursula von der Leyenis located in the most favorable position to secure the necessary support of the 27 leaders and consolidate his re-election. But will the Heads of State and Government decide their future in their presence?
Not quite. On Monday, Von der Leyen will only attend the exchange of views with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, which traditionally begins each summit, and a debate on the bloc’s strategic agenda, a declaration in preparation of the political priorities for the next five years. After, will leave the room.
“Next there will be a dinner for leaders only, in which the most important positions in the European Union will be discussed and in which the president will not be present. “It’s only for leaders,” a Commission spokesperson said on Friday.
Von der Leyen’s presence or absence at the informal summit has sparked speculation in recent days, not least because of her long-standing rivalry with the president of the European Council, Charles Michelwho, as host, sets the agenda.
Their cold working relationships deteriorated after the call Sofagateand protocol fiasco which made international headlines in 2021. Since then, it has never recovered. Michel, whose mandate, unlike Von der Leyen’s, is term-limited, has been accused of trying to sabotage his re-election, something denied by Michel’s spokesman.
Distribution of key positions
Von der Leyen enjoys great popularity among members of the European Council, so your choice is almost guaranteedIf not on Monday, then on June 27thwhen EU leaders meet again in a formal summit.
Your appointment will then be subject to a hearing in the European Parliament, where you will need 361 votes in favor. This second phase is more complicated and will involve intense conversations with the main pro-European parties: the socialists, the liberals and, possibly, the Greens.
It is expected that the presidency of the European Council fall back on the socialistswhile the liberalswho suffered painful losses in the elections, will take over the position of High Representative.
Choosing a name for the Foreign Affairs position could be awkward during the leaders’ dinner, since two of its current members, the Estonian Kaja Kalla and the belgian Alexander De Crooare considered credible candidates for the position.
Coincidentally, Kallas and De Croo have been appointed by the liberal family for direct political negotiations in her name. The Polish Donald Tusk and the Greek Kyriakos Mitsotakis will represent the EPP, while the German Olaf Scholz and the Spanish Pedro Sanchez They will speak on behalf of the socialists.
