The EU-27 are planning a pre-emptive discussion on various appointments following European elections. A senior European Council official said that there would be no automaticity in the selection of the next president of the European Commission. The heads of government had already agreed at the beginning of 2018 that they would return to the European Council taking the lead, but following appropriate consultation with the European Parliament.
Given the new found prominence given to the ‘Spitzenkandidat’ process, with debates on several forums between prospective presidents it is hard to see how the European Council cannot acknowledge this process. Apart from all else, each head of government will have participated in the selection of their candidate through their political party.
EU Reporter asked President Juncker about whether he thought the Spitzenkandidat process could be derailed. Juncker replied that they tried to do it (derail) the process the last time and they did not succeed, “the will not succeed this time”.
