Ursula von der Leyen on track to keep job after EU elections boost
Jennifer Rankin
Ursula von der Leyen is on track to remain for a second term as president of the European Commission, as EU leaders meet this evening for a first discussion on divvying up the bloc’s top jobs.
The EU’s 27 heads of state and government will gather for dinner in Brussels in their first group meeting since European elections last week boosted nationalist and far-right parties and triggered Emmanuel Macron to call snap elections in France.
At stake is whether von der Leyen receives a second five-year term as head of the commission, which initiates and enforces EU law. EU leaders will also decide on successors to Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, and Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat.
Von der Leyen has long been the clear frontrunner. As the lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s party, which will be the largest group in the new European parliament with 26% of the seats, her position has been strengthened by the Europe-wide vote.
Consensus is also firming around Portugal’s Socialist former prime minister António Costa to take over from Michel in chairing EU Council meetings.
Estonia’s prime minister, Kaja Kallas, is a favourite to take over from Borrell as the EU’s chief diplomat.
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Key events
One European official tells us when asked if the von der Leyen/Costa/Kallas deal will hold: “Those who do want to derail it are so far silent.”
Belgium and Slovakia’s leaders were all smiles at the summit.
The rumour mill at the European Council is buzzing as negotiations continue over top jobs.
One idea floated is that the European People’s party wants to split the European Council job with the socialists into two 2.5 year terms.
But diplomats we asked about this have pointed out that the treaties clearly state the term for the European Council president is 2.5 years and previous presidents have had to be re-elected.
Another senior European diplomat says it is “too early to say” if the Ursula von der Leyen – António Costa – Kaja Kallas package is holding.
Asked how the talks are going, a European diplomat tells us they do not believe there are any problems.
“There are talks between the leaders but I haven’t heard any major obstacles,” this person said.
What’s going on now?
Leaders are negotiating in small groups and different combinations.
Slovakia to nominate Maroš Šefčovič for European Commission
Slovakia will put forward Maroš Šefčovič as its candidate for commissioner.
Šefčovič is a long-serving member of the commission, currently serving as an executive vice-president.
As leaders negotiate over top jobs, in the press area another competition is getting attention as well.
And as leaders grapple with questions about top EU jobs, Ireland’s Simon Harris had a phone call with Joe Biden about the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine and Northern Ireland.
This evening I had a phone call with @POTUS.
We discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the recent summit on Ukraine, the reestablishment of the Northern Ireland institutions & our bilateral economic relationship. pic.twitter.com/VAVHT8qeuG— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 17, 2024
Who is António Costa?
António Costa is the frontrunner to replace Charles Michel as president of the European Council.
He is the lead contender for three reasons: he is a socialist, from southern Europe, and well-liked among European leaders.
With the European Commission job slated for the centre-right European People’s party, which won the most seats in the European parliament elections, the second-place socialist party is set to take the Council role.
And with a German politician – Ursula von der Leyen – on track to get the Commission role, and Estonia’s Kaja Kallas floated for top foreign policy job, leaders are seeking geographic diversity for the package.
Costa, who became Portugal’s prime minister in 2015, announced his resignation in late 2023 amid an investigation into alleged illegalities in his administration’s handling of large green investment projects. An election in March then brought the rival centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) to power.
Costa himself has not been accused of any crime, and given his reputation as a pragmatist who is easy to work with on the European stage, many leaders appear open to supporting him.
Nevertheless, there have been some voices raising questions about legal issues in Portugal and asking for more clarification regarding Costa’s current situation.
‘It looks like the pro-European forces can continue,’ Metsola says
Roberta Metsola, the European parliament president, said she will have three messages tonight.
“Democracy is very much alive, it looks like the pro-European forces can continue to cooperate over the next years in what will be a very demanding legislature,” she said.
“Secondly, the demands and the results of the parliament must be taken into account for the election of the president of the European Commission, and I can confirm that a majority of the political groups in the European parliament support the lead candidate process,” Metsola said.
The parliament will also be ensuring “the smoothest of processes for the election of the next president of the European Commission.”
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has met with Law and Justice’s Mateusz Morawiecki and the Slovenian Democratic Party’s Janez Janša.
Janša is a close Orbán ally, but his party belongs to the centre-right European People’s party (EPP).
Law and Justice is part of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
Slovenian prime minister endorses Costa
Robert Golob, the Slovenian prime minister, has said that he supports António Costa’s candidacy for European Council president.
“He has lots of experience, lots of wisdom,” he said.
Golob also said he has received “clarifications” on legal issues raised in connection with Costa’s candidacy.
Petteri Orpo, the Finnish prime minister, has also expressed his support for Ursula von der Leyen.
While all eyes are on the EU’s top jobs, Poland’s Donald Tusk said he will be speaking with Germany’s Olaf Scholz about an incident on the German-Polish border.
Poland has raised concerns after German police reportedly left a group of migrants on the Polish side of the border.
Będę za chwilę rozmawiał z kanclerzem Scholzem o niedopuszczalnym incydencie z udziałem niemieckiej policji i rodziny migrantów po naszej stronie granicy. Sprawa musi być szczegółowo wyjaśniona.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) June 17, 2024
German chancellor calls for quick decision
Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, has said it is important for a decision to be made quickly because we are living in difficult times, Reuters reported.
“Given that the political platform that has so far supported President (von der Leyen) in parliament once again has a majority, I believe it will be possible to find a sensible solution quickly,” he said.
He added:
It is important for a decision to be made quickly, because we are living in difficult times and it is important to know what the future holds for Europe.
Greece’s Kyriakos Mitsotakis, one of the European People’s party negotiators, was asked why he is backing Ursula von der Leyen.
“Because she was our spitzenkandidat, and because the EPP won the European elections – and because she is a very good president of the Commission,” he said.