EU leaders discuss top jobs after far-right gains in June elections

EU leaders are gathering in Brussels to discuss – over an informal dinner – how to distribute the European Union’s top jobs, with Ursula von der Leyen seemingly on track for a second term heading the European Commission.

Far-right gains in EU-wide elections, which triggered snap polls and political upheaval in France, appear to have focused minds around the positions at the bloc’s helm – negotiated among its members with an eye to geographic and political balance.

While leaders were expected to formally make their choices known at a summit from 27 to 28 June, a consensus already appears to be emerging.

At the end of the G7 summit in Italy, where French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with both German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and von der Leyen, he said: “I believe things can move forward efficiently. At least that is my wish, and that will be my frame of mind on Monday”.

Scholz sent a similar message, telling Germany’s ARD television network that “a political majority is coming together” and that “things could be decided fast.”

Monday’s meeting kicks off at 6:00 pm local time in Brussels – in von der Leyen’s presence – but the EU commission chief will leave before dinner, when leaders are to tackle the matter of who will be appointed to the bloc’s top jobs.

Von der Leyen’s centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) was the biggest winner from the EU elections that took place earlier this month, cementing the German conservative’s bid for five more years helming the executive body of the world’s second-largest economy.

Political appointments

But she will have one more hurdle to pass.

Read more on RFI English

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