A highly-anticipated gathering of EU leaders has kicked off in Brussels, where a preliminary deal on appointments to the EU’s top jobs could emerge.
It’s the first time the leaders meet physically since the European elections, which saw European voters veer slightly to the right. Now, leaders face the delicate task of divvying up the roles of European Commission president, European Council president and High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
But the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) has revealed a hidden card up its sleeve, by bidding to split the next two 2.5-year terms of the European Council between a Socialist and one of their own.
With von der Leyen, the EPP’s lead candidate, in pole position to secure a second term at the EU executive’s helm, and Roberta Metsola – also of the EPP – favourite to continue as the president of the European Parliament, the hypothetical situation would see the EPP in three of the four top jobs in Brussels at a given time.
Former Portuguese premier António Costa is the Socialists’ proposed pick for the European Council, while the Liberals – who suffered heavy defeats in the elections – are pitching Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas for the top diplomatic role of High Representative.
Upon arrival, several leaders noted an emerging consensus for von der Leyen, whose European People’s Party (EPP) won a clear victory at the European elections. The leaders of the eastern states of Finland and Poland have also backed Kallas’ candidacy for the top diplomatic role.
Despite Costa still being under investigation in a corruption case, he has secured the firm backing of his successor, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
While a political agreement could emerge tonight, it would have to be confirmed at the next formal EU summit, scheduled for 27-28 June.