There are two ways the remaining commissioners could pass. Either — as has been the case for most of the commissioners so far — the groups will need to secure a two-thirds majority in each of the committees that grilled the commissioners from Nov. 4-12. Or — if talks on a package deal go nowhere … Read more
If not for Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine, Kaja Kallas might not have emerged as one of the most prominent voices on European foreign affairs. As prime minister of Estonia, Kallas rang the alarm bells about Russian aggression, pushing the EU to supply Ukraine with ammunition and freeze Russian assets, even as some Western leaders … Read more
3. Von der Leyen crowns herself the winner on gender despite lack of balance Von der Leyen’s month-long struggle to get a gender-balanced European Commission did not lead to an equal number of men and women on her team, despite her pressure on countries to send one male and one female candidate from each country. … Read more
The deadline for putting forward names for the next European Commission is the end of August. With that date approaching fast, and now that Ursula von der Leyen is back from her summer holiday in Germany, here are the nominees so far (remember that all of them, except for von der Leyen herself, need to … Read more
The Estonian parliament on Monday voted for Climate Minister Kristen Michal to take over as prime minister, with 64 votes in favor and 27 against. Michal will succeed Kaja Kallas, who resigned as prime minister on July 15 to become the European Union’s new chief diplomat. Following her resignation, Kallas named Michal as a possible … Read more
However, the euroskeptics in Budapest or Bratislava don’t have the clout to hollow out the EU on their own. But if joined by founding members like Italy, and perhaps The Netherlands, their promise — or threat — of turning the bloc into a “Europe of nations” becomes ever more possible. Plus, for the right-wing populists … Read more
Who wants what? France and Italy are the biggest European powers eying a portfolio that includes one or more of the following: Competition, trade, industry and economic policy, several EU diplomats said, much to the despair of northern, more budget-disciplined EU governments. Ireland and Luxembourg are interested in a financial portfolio, while Spain wants an … Read more
Representatives from Reform, the liberal Estonia 200 party and the center-left Social Democrats already began coalition negotiations on July 8, with Michal leading the discussions. All parties hope to reach an agreement by the end of July, and the new government will likely take office at the beginning of August. EU leaders picked Kallas for … Read more
He singled out Kallas, who will replace Josep Borrell as the EU’s top diplomat, saying she “is well known in our country for her absolutely irreconcilable and sometimes even rabidly Russophobic statements.” Kallas has been one of the Kremlin’s fiercest critics, ordering the removal of Soviet monuments in her country and offering unwavering support to … Read more
Listen on Spotify Apple Music Acast Straight from the European Council summit, we bring you the latest news and analysis on a range of tough issues on the leaders’ agenda. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO colleagues Barbara Moens and Aitor Hernández-Morales to discuss how EU leaders agreed on who they want to lead … Read more
