Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Kaja Kallas were elevated to the top of the ECU union within the following 5 years.
</p><div><div class="c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-small-only"><div class="c-ad__placeholder"><img class="c-ad__placeholder__logo" src="https://static.euronews.com/website/images/logos/logo-euronews-180x22-grey-6.svg" width="180" height="22" alt="" loading="lazy"/><span>Advertisement</span></div></div><p>White smoke in Brussels.
27 leaders of the ECU union have voted yes to the political management of the bloc for the next 5 years: Ursula von der Leyen As Chairman of the ECU Fee, Antonio Costa as President of the ECU Council, and Kaja Kailash As Principal Advisor for International Affairs and Security Coverage.
Leaders on Thursday also approved the strategic timetable, a file containing broad brushstrokes of ambitions, aimed at carrying forward the momentum of the three appointments.
The nominations of Von der Leyen and Kallas are not final and still require confirmation through the ECU Parliament. In contrast, Costa, Portugal’s former prime minister, is regularly singled out by his former friends. He is going to pull the place of business on December 1st.
“I would like to clearly express my gratitude to the leaders who supported my nomination for a second mandate,” von der Leyen said. “I feel very honored.”
“With a strong sense of mission I will take up the responsibility of being the next President of the European Council,” Costa said, thanking his socialist population and the Portuguese government for their support. “I will remain fully committed to promoting unity among all 27 member states and will focus on getting the strategic agenda back on track.”
“This is a huge responsibility at this moment of geopolitical tension,” Callas said in a comment, promising to work with both von der Leyen and Costa “with pleasure.” “I will continue to serve our common interests,” she said. “Europe must be a place where people are free, safe and prosperous.”
The birthday party negotiators had already sealed the three-pronged move to trade all the way through a decision on Tuesday And presented his proposal on Thursday night. After debate among all heads of state and government, the agreement received formal blessing.
The negotiations between the centrist parties had angered those left on the margins, particularly Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attacked the “unrealistic” methods through which the top jobs package was drawn up. Maloney, who rules over the bloc’s third-largest financial system, is known for greater inclusion and deeper discussion.
“It seems to me that so far there has been a reluctance on the part of citizens to heed the message they put at the ballot box,” Maloney said. where did it go On the eve of the top.
Hungary’s Viktor Orban was more strident, calling the actions “shameful”.
Their public complaints stood in contrast to the apparent coolness of other dignitaries such as Germany’s Olaf Scholz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, who were intent on getting the process through in a quick, straightforward manner.
“We are living in difficult times,” Scholz said upon arrival. “We are facing huge challenges, not least facing Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. So it is important that Europe takes those actions now.” Prepare yourself for what needs to be dealt with.”
Diplomats in Brussels were worried that, given the bloc’s dangerous geopolitical position, the image of leaders haggling for long hours in well-paid positions would seem out of touch.
Those concerns along with the lack of credible alternatives made negotiations more straightforward and helped unify the position on the 3 names.
Rejecting Meloni’s complaint, Belgium’s Alexandre De Croo said, “Democracy is not just about blocking, democracy is about who wants to work together, and those three groups for the benefit of all Europeans.” Ready to work together for this.”
“In the next five years we need political stability and to be able to act quickly.”
In the end, Meloni voted against Costa and Callas, and did not vote on von der Leyen, several diplomats told Euronews, which was a largely symbolic move to express his displeasure. For his part, Orbán voted against von der Leyen, abstained from Calais and supported Costa.
AdvertisementAsked about Meloni’s absence, von der Leyen said it was “important to do a good job” with Italy “like all the other member states”.
“It’s a principle for me that I follow all the time,” she said.
selected people
For those keeping an eye on eco politics, the people elected are common faces.
The FEI presidency is going to the outgoing Ursula von der Leyen. Spitzenkandidat (top candidate) of the centre-right ECU Population Birthday Party (EPP).
Since announcing her re-election bid in February, von der Leyen, the first woman to captain a manager, was the undisputed frontrunner due to her high political profile amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Was formed during the battle for Ukraine.
AdvertisementThroughout the marketing campaign, he infuriated progressives he took the initiative To Meloni’s brittle morality. However the EPP’s comfortable victory with 188 MEPs in the June elections reduced Rome’s utility in the equation and allowed him to change his tune. Von der Leyen has promised to assemble a powerful centrist coalition to help her in her subsequent term.
In the second phase, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) came here with 136 seats. The public will see one of its most recognizable faces, former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, take over the reins of the ECU Council from Charles Michel.
Even though the presidency of the Council lacks legislative powers, factional clashes over the past five years due to successive global crises have increased the political relevance and media publicity of the job, making it a popular choice for the centre-left. Has become a prestigious award.
Costa’s dominance, again, comes with a question mark: His stay in power ended in November 2023, when he resigned after several members of his cabinet were accused of corruption and influence peddling in the concession of lithium mining, green hydrogen and information center projects. Costa has not been officially charged but his actual involvement in the unusual proposals has not yet been clarified. He denies any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Renew Europe’s liberals, reduced from 102 to 75 seats, have tied up the post of principal adviser to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, a key figure in the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
AdvertisementKallas was considered the first extremely vocal and aggressive For the business place, that means behaving in accordance with the 27 member states’ habitual tone towards global society. However, questions about his suitability gradually diminished and his position, which was still linked to that of NATO Secretary General, was given the green light.
Despite its prominence, the Principal Adviser is naturally constrained by the primary means of consensus that governs EU foreign policy. If confirmed by Parliament, Callas would replace Josep Borrell, who has been a regular charged off Of going off-script.
With von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas elected to the top posts, EU leaders assured that the distribution reflects the political and geographical diversity of the bloc and maintains gender stability. Additionally, Costa, whose father was once partly French-Mozambican and partly Indian, is set to become the first non-white person to hold the top post in the bloc’s history.
The decision may also be a reflection of the prestige of centrist parties, which held their ground in the polls and defied ominous predictions of a far-right surge. Von der Leyen is already in talks with socialists and liberals to draw up a cohesive programme.
On Thursday night, the current leader came out to ask MEPs from other parties to secure a “broad majority for a stronger Europe”.
AdvertisementThis text has been updated with additional information.
