European leaders have agreed to give Ursula von der Leyen a second term as head of the European Commission, redistributing key EU posts. Her reappointment will need to be confirmed by a majority of MEPs in a vote expected in mid-July. The outcome of the vote is uncertain due to changes in the European Parliament after the strong showing of the extreme right in the June elections.
In other news, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has been chosen to succeed Josep Borrell as the leader of EU diplomacy in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine. António Costa, former Prime Minister of Portugal, has been appointed as the new president of the European Council, succeeding Charles Michel on December 1. These appointments come after an agreement among European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz.
Some leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, have criticized the decision, calling it a “shameful” arrangement. The upcoming legislative elections in France are also casting a shadow on the EU, with the National Rally leading the polls. The appointment of Thierry Breton as the French member of the European Commission has also been announced.
The strategic agenda for
