European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a press conference on June 28, 2024 in Brussels (AFP / JOHN THYS)
EU leaders agreed at a summit on Thursday to give Ursula von der Leyen a second term as Commission chief and hand over European diplomacy to a strong voice on Ukraine, Estonian Kaja Kallas.
This agreement on key EU positions was quickly concluded, despite strong resistance from the Italian Giorgia Meloni and the Hungarian Viktor Orban.
The reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen will have to be confirmed by an absolute majority of MEPs: “There is still one step (…) I will seek the approval of the European Parliament after the presentation of my political roadmap for the next five years”, insisted the German conservative leader.
The outcome of this vote, expected in mid-July, is uncertain, the usual coalition of conservative, socialist and liberal MEPs having been weakened following the June elections.
To embody the face of EU diplomacy against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the heads of state and government chose Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas – a determined opponent of the Kremlin. This 47-year-old liberal will succeed the Spaniard Josep Borrell.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, chosen as EU foreign policy chief by European leaders, speaks during a press conference in Brussels on June 28, 2024 (AFP / JOHN THYS)
“It is an enormous responsibility in these times of geopolitical tensions, with the war in Europe and the growing instability in our neighbourhood as the main challenges,” said Ms Kallas, whose position will also have to be validated by MEPs.
“Kaja Kallas understands the risks coming from Russia and Belarus,” greeted the head of the Polish government Donald Tusk.
Finally, former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was appointed new president of the European Council, the body bringing together member states. A year after his resignation over a corruption affair that was ultimately poorly substantiated, this socialist, renowned as a skillful tactician and pragmatist, will succeed the Belgian Charles Michel in December.
– “Very quick decision” –
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speak during a press conference in Brussels on June 28, 2024. (AFP/JOHN THYS)
These three candidates were widely favored following the agreement reached on Tuesday between six European leaders – including Frenchman Emmanuel Macron and German Olaf Scholz – belonging to the right/social-democrat/centrist “grand coalition”, in the wake of the elections. European.
Mr. Scholz welcomed Thursday “a very rapid and forward-looking decision”, reversing the laborious designation process which tore the Twenty-Seven apart five years ago.
However, Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday denounced the arrangement as “shameful”: “European voters have been deceived. (The traditional right) has formed a coalition of lies with the left and the liberals,” he said angrily upon arriving at the summit.
The head of the ultraconservative Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, for her part denounced an “oligarchy”, deploring having been left out of the negotiations between the three political groups.
“Their proposal is erroneous in method and substance. I have decided not to support it, out of respect for the citizens and the signal they have in the European elections” in June, she scathed. outcome of the summit. She abstained, according to a diplomatic source.
Many leaders had, however, shown themselves to be careful to spare her: if her support was not necessary – unanimity was not required – politically her voice counted.
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at the end of a European summit in Brussels on June 28, 2024 (AFP / Ludovic MARIN)
“I think there was a broad consensus, and I am sure that a path will be (found) subsequently: I totally respect the position of Giorgia Meloni who represents an important country”, underlined Emmanuel Macron.
– Orban’s hopes –
Like Viktor Orban, Ms Meloni intends to have a greater say in the choices of the future executive in Brussels, following the surge of the radical and extreme right in the European elections this month. The Italian leader’s ECR group took third place from the centrist family of French President Emmanuel Macron in the European Parliament.
Rome claims “at a minimum” a vice-presidency of the European Commission, with an “important portfolio” to influence industrial and agricultural policy, according to its Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.
This meeting of the Twenty-Seven was held three days before early legislative elections in France for which the National Rally (far right) is largely in the lead.
Asked whether this election “cast a shadow” over the EU, Viktor Orban said that on the contrary it brought a “ray of sunshine”, believing that “great things can happen (in France) on Sunday” .
For his part, Emmanuel Macron announced during a meeting with his liberal allies his wish to reappoint Thierry Breton as French member of the Commission, according to European sources. Since 2019, he has been Commissioner for the Internal Market, a broad portfolio that includes digital and industry.
In front of the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, April 12, 2024 (AFP / Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD)
The leaders of the Twenty-Seven also endorsed on Thursday the “strategic agenda” setting the bloc’s priorities for the next five years, emphasizing security, defense, competitiveness and the fight against irregular immigration.
Among the other key positions in the EU, the Maltese conservative Roberta Metsola appears favorite to win a second two-and-a-half-year term as president of the European Parliament, mid-July in Strasbourg.
