Ursula von der Leyen wins second term

(Brussels) EU leaders meeting at a summit agreed on Thursday to grant a second mandate to Ursula von der Leyen at the head of the Commission and entrust European diplomacy to a strong voice on Ukraine, the Estonian Kaja Kallas.

The deal on key EU positions was quickly reached, despite strong resistance from Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Hungary’s Viktor Orban.

The renewal of M^me von der Leyen will have to be confirmed by an absolute majority of MEPs: “There is still one more step” […] I will seek approval from the European Parliament after presenting my political roadmap for the next five years,” insisted the German conservative leader.

The outcome of this vote, expected in mid-July, is uncertain, the usual coalition of conservative, socialist and liberal MEPs having been weakened following the June elections.

To embody the face of EU diplomacy against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, heads of state and government chose Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas – a determined opponent of the Kremlin. This 47-year-old liberal will succeed the Spaniard Josep Borrell.

“It is an enormous responsibility in these times of geopolitical tensions, with the war in Europe, the growing instability in our neighbourhood, as the main challenges,” reacted Mr.^me Kallas, whose position must also be validated.

“Kaja Kallas understands the risks coming from Russia and Belarus,” greeted the head of the Polish government Donald Tusk.

Finally, former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was appointed new President of the European Council, the body bringing together the Member States. A year after his resignation over a corruption case that was ultimately poorly substantiated, this socialist, known for his skillful tactics and pragmatism, will succeed the Belgian Charles Michel in December.

“Very quick decision”

These three candidates were widely favored following the agreement reached on Tuesday between six European leaders – including Frenchman Emmanuel Macron and German Olaf Scholz – belonging to the right/social democrat/centrist “grand coalition”, in the wake of the elections. European.

Mr. Scholz welcomed Thursday “a very rapid and forward-looking decision”, reversing the laborious designation process which tore the Twenty-Seven apart five years ago.

The Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, however castigated a “shameful” arrangement on Thursday: “European voters have been deceived. [La droite traditionnelle] formed a coalition of lies with the left and the liberals,” he had raged upon arriving at the summit.

The head of the ultraconservative Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, for her part denounced an “oligarchy”, deploring having been left out of the negotiations between the three political groups.

“Their proposal is erroneous in method and substance. I decided not to support it, out of respect for the citizens and the signal they have in the European elections in June, she lashed out at the end of the summit. She abstained, according to a diplomatic source.

Many leaders, however, have shown themselves to be careful to spare her: while her support was not necessary – unanimity was not required – politically her voice counts. According to a diplomatic source, she abstained on Ursula von der Leyen and voted against Kaja Kallas and Antonio Costa.

“I think there was a broad consensus, and I’m sure there will be a path [trouvé] subsequently: I totally respect the position of Giorgia Meloni who represents an important country”, underlined Emmanuel Macron at the end of the summit.

Orban’s hopes

Like Viktor Orban, M^me Meloni intends to weigh more on the choices of the future executive in Brussels, following the surge of the radical and extreme right during the European elections this month. The Italian leader’s ECR group took third place from the centrist family of French President Emmanuel Macron in the European Parliament.

Rome is demanding “at a minimum” a vice-presidency of the European Commission, with an “important portfolio” to influence industrial and agricultural policy, according to its Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

This meeting of the Twenty-Seven was held three days before early legislative elections in France, in which the National Rally (extreme right) is widely expected to be in the lead.

Asked whether the vote “cast a shadow” over the EU, Viktor Orban said it brought a “ray of sunshine” and said that “great things can happen.” [en France] Sunday “.

For his part, Emmanuel Macron announced during a meeting with his liberal allies his wish to reappoint Thierry Breton as French member of the Commission, according to European sources. Since 2019, he has been Commissioner for the Internal Market, a broad portfolio that includes digital and industry.

The leaders of the Twenty-Seven also endorsed on Thursday the “strategic agenda” setting the bloc’s priorities for the next five years, emphasizing security, defense, competitiveness and the fight against irregular immigration.

Among the other key positions in the EU, the Maltese conservative Roberta Metsola appears favorite to win a second two-and-a-half-year term as president of the European Parliament, mid-July in Strasbourg.