A week after the European elections, European leaders are gathering today in Brussels to prioritize discussions on top European positions. In this seemingly lined-up discussion, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will play a central role, alongside his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, as the two negotiators for the EPP. Both leaders had supported Ursula von der Leyen’s candidacy for the Commission presidency.
Following the clear victory of the EPP in the European elections and considering it remains the largest European force, it is almost certain in Brussels that the German politician will secure a second term. A political agreement on this could be confirmed as early as today during the dinner of European leaders, following backstage discussions that have been ongoing for days. According to the timeline, Mrs. von der Leyen could receive approval from the European Parliament on July 17th, ensuring the matter is resolved before summer.
And while the outcome of the ballot may depoliticize the discussion about the next president of the European Commission, torpedoing Emmanuel Macron’s plans for another person, nevertheless the devil is in the details. And Mr. Mitsotakis will focus on those. He will kick off his agenda today at the EPP Summit preceding the informal European Council. This party gathering is not pro forma, as both Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Tusk must discuss policy priorities for the next five years with Mrs. von der Leyen, such as the allocation of CAP funds, European defense, and the future of the Recovery Fund.
Beyond that, there are other details at stake. For example, the EPP seeks to control the Commission and the majority of key portfolios. At the same time, they take the presidency of the European Parliament with Maltese Roberta Metsola set for reelection. In this equation, Mr. Mitsotakis aims to add a Greek vice president from New Democracy, with Vangelis Meimarakis being the most likely candidate, as Eliza Vozemberg took the helm of the New Democracy parliamentary group.
Socialists, on the other hand, seek the presidency of the European Council, which they haven’t controlled since Italian Romano Prodi. The favorite is former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, although voices within the EPP call for not agreeing to a five-year term, in an attempt to rotate after 2.5 years. Macron’s liberals came third in strength, with reduced absolute numbers, apparently taking the lead of NATO with Dutchman Mark Rutte and probably the High Representative’s portfolio, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas likely succeeding Josep Borrell. Finally, the Greens, who also need to be “in” the agreement to comfortably achieve numbers in Parliament, want a good portfolio in the Commission, such as Energy.
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The Portfolios
Knowledgeable European sources estimate to protothema.gr that today’s Summit will involve a discussion on the “big” elements of the new European political map and leaders will not delve into details regarding the desired portfolios in the new Commission. This discussion will evolve over the coming weeks, while Mr. Mitsotakis has made it clear that first the discussion on the Greek portfolio will be concluded and then that on the Commissioner’s person.
Mr. Mitsotakis’ orientation is a development portfolio linked to the management of critical European resources. Additionally, Poland is interested in the Defense portfolio to be established in the new Commission, provided it has financial tools.
Regarding individuals, it is a given that Mrs. von der Leyen would be positive about continuing the presence of the current Vice-President of the Commission, Margaritis Schinas, in Brussels. Mr. Schinas had a meeting with Mr. Mitsotakis days ago, but did not become wiser about the Prime Minister’s intentions. The developments are also being monitored by the regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, a key figure in the European Committee of the Regions. Finally, a person who has seen his stocks rise lately with the good result of the European Center-Right is EPP Secretary-General Thanasis Bakolas, once a close collaborator of Mr. Mitsotakis, who enjoys the confidence of Ursula von der Leyen.
