EU at a crossroads, names of new leaders remain mystery

At the first meeting after the elections for the new composition of the European Parliament, EU-27 leaders discussed the new leadership of EU institutions. The meeting was of informal nature, but it is important because it shows how some countries are breathing on the issue of distributing leading positions in the EU. There was no attempt to block certain names, but for this reason one party decided to use the informal meeting for its own interests.

Rotation

It seems that European citizens, in the wave of results in the EU Parliament elections, are looking for a piece of cake bigger than in 2019. The European People's Party (EPP) emerged as the relative winner of the elections, so it requires that the mandate of the European Council president be halved. The mandate of the European Council president lasts two and a half years with re-election opportunities. So far the warrant has always been renewed. However, Politico writes that ordinary European Council members, with the suggestion of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, demanded that the upcoming European Council president-elect be replaced by someone from their party after two and a half years. After working evening in Brussels, Plenkovic said he proposed the rotating European Council president, but that he himself was not interested in that position.

Mellon out of the game

Portuguese António Costa must replace Charles Michel as president of the European Council. The former Portuguese prime minister comes from the Socialists' ranks. The corruption scandal that forced him to resign could make his appointment difficult. Emmanuel Macron is certainly interested in whether his associate Christine Lagarde will receive a second term at the top of the ECE in three years, especially at a time when there is the possibility that Marine Le Pen's party will win in France. EU leaders will again gather in Brussels on 27 June and 28 June. Macron and Olaf Scholz hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible so that they can focus on the situation at home. On the other hand, Giorgia Melon, who has been thrilled after convincing results in European elections, could ruin their plans. “Politco” writes that Melon has not been satisfied because at the job collection they have tried to keep him out of the game and that it may look for a place for itself at the European Commission.

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There is much less drama about other European leadership positions. Ursula von der Leen (EPP) will almost certainly continue to head the European Commission, and Roberta Metsola (EPP) will continue to head the European Parliament. The high representative's post for EU foreign and security policy will probably go to liberals. Estonia Prime Minister Kaya Kallas is expected to hold the head of EU diplomacy. The European Iron Office “ ” is one of Russia's most fierce opponents, who does not hesitate to speak out against Vladimir Putin.

Since 47-year-old took power, the Estonian government has increased military spending to three percent of its GDP. Estonia also offers massive military assistance to Ukraine. Unlike some of his colleagues, Kallas stands for Ukraine's unconditional victory and harsh punishment. She recently said that if Russia wants to attack, it will, regardless of NATO's actions. It referred to warnings from some leaders who expressed concern that sending Western instructors to Ukraine would imply a escalation between NATO and Russia countries. Kaya Kallas' intolerance of Russia had been rooted in him from birth. Callas grew up under Soviet occupation and spent her years of formation seeing her country become free.