EU heads gather to discuss new leadership in wake of far-right election successes – Europe live
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Ursula von der Leyen is on track to remain for a second term as president of the European Commission, as EU leaders meet this evening for a first discussion on divvying up the bloc’s top jobs.
The EU’s 27 heads of state and government will gather for dinner in Brussels in their first group meeting since European elections last week boosted nationalist and far-right parties and triggered Emmanuel Macron to call snap elections in France.
At stake is whether von der Leyen receives a second five-year term as head of the commission, which initiates and enforces EU law. EU leaders will also decide on successors to Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, and Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat.
Von der Leyen has long been the clear frontrunner. As the lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s party, which will be the largest group in the new European parliament with 26% of the seats, her position has been strengthened by the Europe-wide vote.
Consensus is also firming around Portugal’s Socialist former prime minister António Costa to take over from Michel in chairing EU Council meetings.
Estonia’s prime minister, Kaja Kallas, is a favourite to take over from Borrell as the EU’s chief diplomat.
The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (L) and president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy (R) in Kyiv in November. Photograph: Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has arrived at the Amigo hotel in Brussels, where he was expected to meet with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Ansa reports.
Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party has repeatedly signalled that it wants to join Meloni’s European political family, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
Ahead of the summit, leaders are meeting bilaterally and in small groups.
Latvia’s prime minister, Evika Siliņa, said Ursula von der Leyen has her “full support” for a second term as European Commission president.
Productive meeting with @vonderleyen on EP elections & EU priorities. Latvia's focus: security, defence, support for 🇺🇦, competitiveness. We need swift action on EU leadership roles with balance in geography, gender & politics. Full support for her 2nd term as EC President! 🇱🇻🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/LlpjSIGHGI
Ursula von der Leyen is on track to remain for a second term as president of the European Commission, as EU leaders meet this evening for a first discussion on divvying up the bloc’s top jobs.
The EU’s 27 heads of state and government will gather for dinner in Brussels in their first group meeting since European elections last week boosted nationalist and far-right parties and triggered Emmanuel Macron to call snap elections in France.
At stake is whether von der Leyen receives a second five-year term as head of the commission, which initiates and enforces EU law. EU leaders will also decide on successors to Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, and Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat.
Von der Leyen has long been the clear frontrunner. As the lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s party, which will be the largest group in the new European parliament with 26% of the seats, her position has been strengthened by the Europe-wide vote.
Consensus is also firming around Portugal’s Socialist former prime minister António Costa to take over from Michel in chairing EU Council meetings.
Estonia’s prime minister, Kaja Kallas, is a favourite to take over from Borrell as the EU’s chief diplomat.
The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (L) and president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy (R) in Kyiv in November. Photograph: Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images
Good afternoon and welcome to a special edition of the Europe blog, coming to you from the informal European Council summit in Brussels.
The EU’s 27 heads of state and government will be gathering for talks this evening.
On the menu: now that the EU elections are over, the leaders will be discussing how to divide the bloc’s top jobs – in particular the roles of European Commission president, European Council president and high representative for foreign affairs.
Stay tuned and send your comments and tips to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
Informal European Council summit, Monday Photograph: Lili Bayer/The Guardian
