EU member state leaders have agreed on the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen for the presidency of the European Commission (EC), the DPA news agency quoted sources as saying on Tuesday.
DPA said in a social media post:
EU leaders who participated in discussions on candidates for key posts in the bloc have agreed on the candidature of Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as EC president.
The candidature, which will then be formally announced by EU leaders, must subsequently be approved by the European Parliament. Voting in the European Parliament is scheduled for June 27-28.
European Union leaders have decided to nominate Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to replace Josep Borrell as EU diplomacy chief.
POLITICO reported in early June that Kallas is the most likely successor to Borrell, who will leave the post in 2024. According to media reports, in particular, she is considered as such a candidate by the office of French President Emmanuel Macron.
In addition, it was agreed that former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa will be appointed President of the European Council instead of Charles Michel, DPA reports.
The head of Eurodiplomacy is the main coordinator and representative of the bloc’s common foreign and security policy. Borrell has been the EU’s head of diplomacy since December 1, 2019. The term of office is five years.
