The German conservative (EPP) still needs to have the nomination approved by the European Parliament, with an absolute majority. A vote is possible as early as the mid-July session, according to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
The distribution of the EU’s top jobs, following the elections of 9 June, also involved the designation of Charles Michel’s successor at the head of the European Council, the circle of heads of state and government of the Union. The former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, a member of the S&D socialist group, was chosen. Charles Michel’s term ends on 30 November.
Ursula von der Leyen criticised for private jet travel: ‘Shameful that the president is travelling by private plane in light of the climate crisis’
Finally, the Brussels summit was to designate the next head of European diplomacy, to succeed the Spanish socialist Josep Borrell. It is the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Renew Europe, liberal) who was designated to the post of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
This distribution ratifies a pre-agreement reached on Tuesday by six EU heads of state and government representing the EPP, the S&D and Renew, the three European political families called upon to support the Von der Leyen II Commission. This choice was contested by two far-right leaders, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban, but the latter had no right of veto.
