these three “top jobs” awarded this Monday, June 17 (and the favorites to fill them)

EUROPEAN UNION – In the wake of the European elections, will the cards be reshuffled for the highest positions in the EU? The leaders of the Twenty-Seven will debate this Monday, June 17, in the evening in Brussels, the allocation of “top jobs”the European Commission, the European Council and the High Representation for Foreign Affairs (diplomacy).

This informal meeting is a first meeting for the heads of state and government of EU countries after the June 6-9 election marked by a surge of the extreme right in several countries, including France and the ‘Germany.

A European Council is planned for June 27 and 28 but a consensus already seems to be emerging on the main positions of the EU.

• European Commission

Ursula von der Leyen is well placed to succeed herself, as candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP, right), the political family that came first in the elections with 190 seats (+14) in the new Parliament, according to results that are still provisional.

The designation of the 65-year-old German, from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is however not automatic: she needs to collect a “qualified majority” from at least 15 countries, representing 65% of the European population. The support of Emmanuel Macron, in the centrist and liberal camp, as well as Olaf Scholz, from the social democrat family, is crucial for her.

If she is indeed chosen by the leaders, Ursula von der Leyen will then have to be dubbed by an absolute majority of 361 newly elected MEPs. In 2019, she was narrowly elected, with 9 votes in advance.

• European Council

The current president of the European Council – responsible for organizing and leading the summits of the leaders of member countries -, the Belgian Charles Michel, who maintains notoriously difficult relations with Ursula von der Leyen, is leaving his position.

The Social Democrats, who constitute the second political group in the European Parliament, are claiming this position and former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa is expected.

The 62-year-old socialist is the subject of an investigation for influence peddling which led to his resignation from the Portuguese government in November, but many diplomats believe that this is not an insurmountable obstacle given that suspicions his regard seems to dissipate.

• European diplomacy

Also at stake, the post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs was until now occupied by the Spanish socialist Josep Borrell, who is retiring at the age of 77.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas seems favorite to succeed him. This 46-year-old liberal would be the only Eastern European among the holders of “top jobs”.

The leader made herself known for her unwavering support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia, a country bordering Estonia.

At the head of the European Parliament since January 2022, the Maltese Roberta Metsola (PPE), 45, should, unless there is a surprise, return for a mandate of two and a half years.

Also see on HuffPost :