Ursula von der Leyen has been appointed as the new chairman of the European Commission, following an agreement reached by EU member states in Brussels. The former prime minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, will lead the European Council, while Kaja Kalla from Estonia will be the EU’s new high representative for foreign and security policy.
The appointments were agreed upon by leaders of six EU countries, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Prime Ministers of Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands also supported the appointments. However, Italy’s far-right prime minister, Georgia Meloni abstained from voting for von der Leyen and voted against Costa and Kalla.
Von der Leyen needs a parliamentary majority to be elected as commission chairman. If he can get 362 votes from his own group (EPP), social democrats (S&D) and liberals (Renew), then he doesn’t need any support from other groups. However, this would require all MEPs in these groups to vote for him. He may also court support from other groups like Greens or part of ECR group. The vote on von der Leyen may be held as early as July 18. If he is not elected by the European Parliament, EU leaders have a month to choose a new candidate and start the process again.
Kallas’ portfolio falls under the commission and will be approved by parliament after committees vote on suitability candidates for position after election of von der Leyen is held or if it fails to take place within a month after appointment announcement in Brussels was made public late at night between Thursday and Friday