EU leaders will meet today in an informal meeting in Brussels where they are expected to discuss the distribution of leading functions in the European institutions after the European Parliament (EP) elections.
The European Council, which brings together EU heads of state and government, has a central role in determining future high-ranking positions in the EU, i.e. this body elects the President of the European Council, proposes a candidate for the President of the European Commission and appoints the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
However, as stated on the website of the European Parliament, it is not expected that any final decisions will be made during the informal dinner, not only because an official decision cannot be made at an informal meeting, but also because the President of the European Council must consult with by the leadership of the European Parliament.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has not publicly endorsed von der Leyen, said he believes decisions on top EU positions will be made very soon, including von der Leyen’s re-election as EC president.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Mecola, should also attend the meeting.
If the EU leaders at the meeting of the European Council held on June 27 and 28 decide to give von der Leyen a second mandate, the members of the EP could vote on her election as early as July 18, during the first plenary session of the new EP convocation, and otherwise on the President of the Commission will be voted on in mid-September.
During the informal meeting, EU leaders could continue discussions on the strategic agenda of the EU, which is defined at the beginning of each new institutional cycle.
