EU Leaders Anoint Von der Leyen, Kallas, and Costa for Top Roles

Friday 28 June 2024 - 08:45

In a pivotal summit held in Brussels, European Union leaders have nominated the current European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, for a second five-year term at the helm of the bloc's executive body. Additionally, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas was selected as the EU's next foreign affairs chief, while former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa was chosen to assume the prestigious role of chairing EU summits.

The nominations, which are subject to approval by the European Parliament next month, represent a continuation of the centrist, pro-EU trajectory that has characterized the Union's leadership. Von der Leyen hails from Germany's center-right, Costa is a socialist, and Kallas represents the liberal faction, underscoring the diversity within the pro-EU camp.

However, the selections did not come without dissent. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a prominent figure within the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) bloc, expressed her discontent with the nominations. Before the summit, Meloni voiced concerns that the plans disregarded the successes of hard-right parties like her own in the recent elections for the European Parliament.

True to her stance, Meloni abstained from voting for Von der Leyen's nomination and voted against Costa and Kallas, emphasizing the growing divide within the EU's political landscape.

In the aftermath of the summit, the nominated candidates expressed their gratitude and determination to serve the interests of the European Union and its citizens. Von der Leyen, visibly elated, stated, "I would simply like to express my gratitude to the leaders who endorsed my nomination for a second mandate as president of the European Commission."

Kaja Kallas, the Estonian Prime Minister, echoed a similar sentiment, saying, "I'm honored by the support of the Council, and I'm aware of the enormous responsibility that comes with this role. My aim is to work for European unity and protect European interests."

António Costa, the former Portuguese Prime Minister, praised his fellow nominees and emphasized the importance of unity in tackling the challenges that lie ahead. "Europe and the world are facing challenging moments," he acknowledged, "but the European Union has demonstrated its resilience in the past, always finding strength in unity. Building unity between member states will be my main priority when I take up my position in December, focusing on implementing the strategic agenda the European Council has approved today."

While the nominations mark a significant milestone, the road ahead is not without obstacles. Gaining approval from the European Parliament could prove to be a trickier challenge, especially in the wake of Meloni's vocal criticism. In her address to the Italian parliament on Wednesday, Meloni asserted that European voters had asked the EU to "take a different path to the one it has traveled on so far," questioning the democratic legitimacy of the nominations.

As the EU braces for a potential shift in its political landscape, the confirmation process for these key positions will undoubtedly shape the bloc's future trajectory, testing its resilience and unity in the face of growing ideological divides.