EU Heads of State to Meet for Official Council Summit
The heads of state of the European Union (EU) member states will gather in Brussels for an official EU summit on Thursday and Friday. This is a continuation of an unofficial summit held the previous week, where leaders were unable to reach an agreement on the EU’s top appointments over dinner.
During this meeting, discussions are expected to focus on the strategic agenda of the next commission if an agreement is reached on the appointments. While no specific candidates have been mentioned, rumors suggest that a German Christian Democrat will continue to lead the EU Commission, a Portuguese socialist will become the President of the European Council, and an Estonian liberal will take on the role of high representative for the EU’s foreign relations. Additionally, a Maltese Christian Democrat is expected to continue serving as Speaker of Parliament.
The selection of these positions is indirectly linked to NATO’s Secretary General appointment. The length of mandates for these roles remains under discussion, with EPP seeking a longer term for president of European Council but Social Democrats’ strong election results make it challenging. The upcoming summit is crucial for maintaining stability within EU as France faces potential turmoil and Italy’s Prime Minister demands representation in key positions. Trust and cooperation among member states will be vital in effectively navigating these challenges.
