Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa and Kaja Kallas endorsed as EU leaders – as it happened | Europe
[ad_1]
EU leaders have backed Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as president of the European Commission
EU heads of state and government were nominated today Ursula von der Leyen to stay on as president of the European Commission for a second five-year term, according to three EU diplomats.
Von der Leyen, a German politician, is a member of the center-right European People’s Party. As a next step, von der Leyen will have to win the approval of a majority of the members of the European Parliament.
They also named the leaders Antonio Costasocialist, former Portuguese Prime Minister, as the next President of the European Council.
They also selected Kaya Callasthe current Estonian prime minister, whose party is a member of the liberal Renew Europe group, replaced Josep Borrell as the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs.
Lily Bayer and Jennifer Rankin in Brussels
Key events
-
Summary of the day
-
Orbán voted against von der Leyen in favor of Costa
-
‘Mission accomplished’: EU leaders address the press
-
‘Totally committed to promoting unity’: Costa thanks leaders for trust
-
Meloni abstained for von der Leyen, voted against Callas and Costa
-
The deal “reflects the results of the EP elections and the geographical balance”, says the Latvian leader
-
‘Satisfaction’: Polish PM welcomes deal
-
Kaia Callas was ‘honoured’ to be nominated as the next EU foreign policy chief
-
EU leaders have backed Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as president of the European Commission
-
EU leaders discuss top jobs
-
The French election debate is over
-
Bardella and Attal clashed during an election debate in France
-
A French debate begins
-
French politicians arrive for pre-election debate
-
Far-right National Unity with 36%, New People’s Front with 29%: poll
-
Our support is not a blank check, says the leader of the Socialists
-
“Sometimes soup is not eaten at the same temperature at which it is served,” says the resigned Belgian prime minister
-
Czech, German and Polish leaders are calling for more support for countries with Ukrainian refugees
-
‘No Europe without Italy’: EU leaders launch charm offensive to win over Meloni
-
“European voters were deceived,” says the Hungarian prime minister
-
“This is Europe’s historic choice”: Zelensky addressed the EU leaders
-
Orbán says Hungary will not support top jobs deal
-
The signing ceremony is underway
-
“All 27 are equally important,” says the German chancellor amid Meloni’s concerns
-
“Clear messages” from the election, Mezzola says
-
‘Suspension of the Hungarian presidency’: 20,000 people express concern for Orbán
-
“Clear consensus” for von der Leyen, says Harris
-
Harris emphasizes Ukraine’s support, EU competitiveness
-
Zelensky will sign security agreements in Brussels
-
“We need to work on the next steps”: Zelensky arrives at the summit in Brussels
-
EU leaders will discuss Ukraine
-
Welcome to the blog
Summary of the day
-
The leaders of the 27 EU member states met in Brussels for talks on Ukraine, the Middle East, defense and senior posts in the bloc.
-
Late in the evening they reached an agreement on the nomination Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the European Commission. Georgia Meloni abstained and Viktor Orban voted against.
-
Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was elected the next President of the European Council.
-
Kaya Callasthe Estonian Prime Minister, was elected to the post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
-
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian president, Vladimir Zelenskyattended a session with European leaders, where he thanked them for their support, but also said that the existing pressure on Russia “is not enough” and stressed the need to fulfill all promises.
-
In France, three politicians – Gabriel Atal, Jordan Bardella and Olivier Fauré – took part in a heated televised debate ahead of Sunday’s election, discussing issues ranging from economic policy to immigration.
-
An opinion poll published today gives the far-right National Assembly 36% for Sunday’s first round. It is followed by the left-wing New People’s Front with 29%.
Orbán voted against von der Leyen in favor of Costa
of Hungary Viktor Orban have voted against Ursula von der Leyen and in favor of Costa, two diplomatic sources said. He held back for Kaja Kallas.
Jennifer Rankin and Lily Bayer
Antonio Costathe former Portuguese prime minister, who has been named the next president of the European Council, reached out via video conference and thanked the leaders for their trust.
“I am delighted to be here today with Ursula von der Leyen and Kaia Callas and to soon be part of this team,” he said.
Kaya Callasthe Estonian Prime Minister, who was chosen as the next High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said:
My goal is definitely to work for European unity, to defend European interests, values in the busy geopolitical context, as well as to build global partnerships, which is very important at this time. So I will aim to work both with the Member States and with all the institutions.
The next step, she said, is to focus on hearings in the European Parliament.
Kalas also said that this is also an honor for Estonia, which has been a member of the EU for 20 years. “It’s quite a symbolic anniversary,” she said.
Ursula von der Leyen expressed her “gratitude” to the leaders who approved her nomination for a second term as President of the European Commission.
She said this meant she would now seek approval from the European Parliament for her appointment after presenting my policy guidelines for the next five years.
‘Mission accomplished’: EU leaders address the press
It’s past 12:30 am here in Brussels and the leaders are talking to reporters.
“Mission accomplished! The European Council gave,” Charles Michel said when announcing the Best Jobs agreement.
He expressed his best wishes for the elected leaders.
Georgia Meloni reiterated his criticism of the negotiation process for senior posts.
La proposta formulated da popolari, socialisti e liberali per i nuovi vertici europei è sbagliata nel metodo e nel merito. I decided not to support her per rispetto dei cittadini e delle indicazioni che da quei cittadini sono arrivate con le elezioni. We continue to work for…
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 27, 2024
Speaking after the summit, Donald TuskPolish Prime Minister said:
I am satisfied that, together with other European leaders, we have chosen the right people for the job. My priority was to show that Europe is stable and predictable.
Ursula von der Leyen will ensure this. Kaya Kalas understands the risks coming from Russia and Belarus. She understands the Polish sensibility. I also look forward to welcoming back my experienced colleague Prime Minister Costa at the head of the European Council table.
We can now move on to implementing the program and strengthening Europe’s defense capability.
“Ready for the next steps”
Manfred Weberleader of the centre-right European People’s Party, called today’s agreement “great news for the future of Europe”.
Great news for the future of Europe 🇪🇺, working for the priorities of our citizens.
I am very happy for #EUCO agreement reached tonight for @vonderleyenthe new term as @EU_Commission President.
Ready for the next steps.
— Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) June 27, 2024
Louis Montenegrothe centre-right Portuguese Prime Minister, congratulated the former Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa.
O Conselho Europeu tem um novo Presidente. Felicito António Costa on behalf of the Government of Portugal. A Europe faces grandes desafios and contaremos com todos para defend uma União Europeia mais coesa, capáz de construir pontes para que os Estados possums dar às pessoas as…
— Luis Montenegro (@LMontenegropm) June 27, 2024
of Sweden Ulf Christerson has praised Estonia Kaya Callaswho was chosen as the next High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
“Kaja has an impeccable track record and will bring solid expertise in several areas, not least the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
The European Council has just agreed to nominate my Estonian colleague Kaja Kalas as High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission.
Kaja has an impeccable track record and will bring solid expertise in several areas, not least the unwavering support of the EU…
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) June 27, 2024
[ad_2]
