EU Council President Donald Tusk defended Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination as President of the European Commission and rejected criticism of the choice behind closed doors. The Council of Heads of State and Government is just as democratically legitimized as the European Parliament, Tusk said today in front of the MEPs in Strasbourg.
„Must respect each other“
„Ultimately, we have to respect each other and work together because only then can we build trust and change Europe for the better,“ Tusk said. Before deciding on top jobs in the EU, he met many times with representatives of parliament „to make sure that the decisions are really common“.
Tusk especially wooed the Greens in parliament. He would work to ensure that the Greens would be included in the nominations, and hope that Leyen also receives this message.
Received by Juncker
Before that, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker received his possible successor in Brussels. Juncker hugged and hugged the conservative German politician during a photo session, but the two answered no questions. Juncker assured his successor nominated by the EU summit of his personal support for a smooth transition, as a Commission spokesman in Brussels said.
Already yesterday, the German Defense Minister traveled to Strasbourg to seek support from MEPs. Her election could be in mid-July. However, a majority in the European Parliament for the politician is still not sure.
