The ring is free for the scramble for the next EU Commission President. French President Emmanuel Macron wants a clear hand for the heads of state and government in the European Council when selecting the next EU Commission President. His party called today for a candidate who could form a robust majority behind the party lines.
Macron is looking for an alternative to EPP lead candidate Manfred Weber. By contrast, the major groups are largely in agreement that only one of their top candidates can become head of the Commission.
Parliamentarians are looking for a common position
The parliamentary leaders in the EU Parliament want to arrange a joint position tomorrow morning. It could amount to a power struggle between the Council and Parliament. At the summit, the personnel will probably not yet lashed. However, both institutions want quick decisions by the end of June so that the EU does not seem incapable of action after the achievements of the right and nationalists.
Macron completes some exploratory talks before the summit. Yesterday, he exchanged views with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Tonight he wants to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The program also includes meetings with the prime ministers of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as with EU Council President Donald Tusk.
Macron’s „Republique en Marche“ party has more than 20 seats in the European Parliament for the first time, but it remained behind the right-wing populist Rassemblement National of Marine Le Pen. Nevertheless, Macron’s party at the head of the Liberals in the European Parliament could play a crucial role in the upcoming occupations of EU top jobs.
Expert expects a long struggle
EU expert Janis Emmanouilidies from the think tank European Policy Center sees no great chance for the post of Commission President for either EPP candidate Weber or his Social Democrat challenger Frans Timmermans. „I think that this time no top candidate will become President of the Commission.“ He expects a long struggle for the top posts. For conservatives and social democrats lost their common majority in the EU election.
Due to the „fragmentation“ of the political balance of power in the new EU Parliament – the major parties lost, liberals and the Greens as well as the three right-wing groups in total were able to gain strength – difficult negotiations would now be imminent.
