Von der Leyen, Kallas and Costa are the new leaders of the EU

Brussels – It was a lightning deal that took place just three weeks after the European elections, Ursula von der Leyen was elected to the European Commission, António Costa to the European Council and Kaja Kallas as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Council approved the package of nominations for the new heads of the European Union institutions at the end of an evening of discussions that lasted shorter than previously expected. The discussion between the heads of state or government of the 27 EU Member States, which lasted just over an hour – helped by the positive atmosphere that had already emerged before the summit began – finally ended with a vote in the Chamber of Twenty-Seven.

The green light for the package, which has been circulating for weeks in Brussels and was already discussed at an informal dinner on June 17, was predictable but not obvious. At the table of 27 leaders, everything can change even at the last minute. But in the end, the basis of today’s (June 27) discussions held without any surprises, confirming the agreement between the six negotiators from the three European political families that have a centrist majority in the European Parliament, namely the People’s Party, the Socialists and the LiberalsAlmost all other EU leaders followed suit, except the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, who abstained on von der Leyen but rejected Kallas and Costaand her Hungarian colleague, Viktor Orbánwho clearly and without asking any questions presented his uncompromising position on the matter, but ultimately gave the green light to Costa and abstained from voting on Kallas.

“Mission completed successfully“- rejoiced the outgoing President of the European Council, Charles Michelwas the first to officially announce that Costa had been chosen as his successor (since December) von der Leyen has been proposed as a candidate to succeed the Commission president and will now have to seek the consent of the European Parliament at its inaugural session in Strasbourg (potentially “as early as July 18”, Robert Metsol, said the President of the European Parliament) and Kallas is the candidate nominated for the position of EU High Representative and will need to obtain the consent of both the Commission Presidency and the European Parliament, with the consent of the entire College of Commissioners (as she is also Vice-President of the EU executive). “We will soon be part of this pro-European team,” greeted Michel’s successor, remotely connected to Portugal. “There are many challenges ahead of us, but the EU has shown resilience and unity.“, stressed Costa, making it clear that “building unity will be my priority, starting with the strategic agenda” adopted by the European Council this evening.

“This is a huge responsibility in times of geopolitical tensions“are the first words of the candidate designated as successor Josep Borrell, which promises to “work to achieve EU unity, protect EU interests and values ​​in a changed geopolitical context, and build global partnerships.” At this point, Kallas will face the mandatory stage of a hearing in the European Parliament. Still, he’s looking forward to this opportunity “to work closely with Costa and von der Leyen”, two politicians with whom “I have already worked side by side for several years and will continue to do so with pleasure”I have tremendous respect for both of them.”

At a press conference at the end of the European Council, the confirmed candidate for President of the Commission wanted to thank leaders for “their support for my second term. “I’m thrilled to share this moment with Costa and Kallas.” President von der Leyen recalled that she would now have to a confirmation vote by a majority of the 720 MEPs, “after which I will present to the European Parliament my policy lines for the next term.” The nomination will almost certainly be scheduled for the July 16-19 plenary session (“almost” depends only on the agenda for July 11), the same day as the election of the President of the European Parliament. Once again, the centrist majority has the leader’s confirmation on the table, and the nomination package informally includes the outgoing President, Robert Metsolato become her successor.

English version by Withub Translation Service