EU leaders confirm key appointments to top positions

European Union leaders finalized a number of nominations for leadership positions in central political institutions on Thursday.

German conservative Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as president of the European Commission, extending her term for another five years.

Von der Leyen is joined in her role as head of the EU’s executive by two new appointees: Antonio Costa of Portugal, who will serve as President of the European Council, and Kaja Kallas of Estonia, who has taken up the position of the EU’s chief diplomat.

At a press conference after the summit where the decisions were taken, the outgoing President of the European Council, Charles Michel, expressed his satisfaction with the results. “Mission accomplished,” Michel declared, accompanied by von der Leyen and Kallas. Antonio Costa, who took part by video link, also expressed his commitment to his new role.