European leaders are gearing up to announce their choices for the top jobs at the EU’s helm at a two-day summit in Brussels. Current Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is expected to be nominated for a second mandate, setting the stage for a potentially contentious decision-making process.
The summit, which is also being attended by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, has a packed agenda that includes discussions on security and defense. Leaders from Poland and the Baltics are seeking EU funds to build a defense line along their border with Russia, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical challenges facing the region.
Earlier this week, six EU leaders reached a consensus on the names to put forward for the top positions, with each nominee hailing from one of the three dominant parties in the European Parliament. Ursula von der Leyen, from the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), is set to be nominated for a second term as European Commission President.
However, the exclusion of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who heads the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) bloc, from the talks has sparked controversy. Meloni criticized the decision, stating that European voters are seeking a different path for the EU and calling for more inclusive decision-making processes.
Hungary’s Viktor Orban also expressed dissatisfaction with the selection process, arguing that the deal between the EPP, the Socialists and Democrats, and the liberals goes against the principles of the EU. Orban emphasized the importance of representing every member state in the EU leadership, not just left-leaning and liberal factions.
As the summit unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Meloni will endorse the new leadership team. While she may not have the power to veto the nominations, her endorsement could carry significant weight among European right-wing leaders. Von der Leyen and her allies are working to secure support from various political groups to ensure a smooth approval process in the European Parliament.
The outcome of the summit and the subsequent approval process in the European Parliament will shape the direction of the EU’s leadership for the coming years. With key issues such as migration and defense on the agenda, the decisions made at the summit will have far-reaching implications for the future of the European Union.
