The appointment process for the European Union’s highest leadership positions moved forward on Tuesday evening after lengthy negotiations, when the European Council finally reached agreement on the individuals to be proposed for them.
The German Ursula von der Leyen is proposed as President of the European Commission, and the Belgian Charles Michel as President of the European Council. The Spanish Josep Borrell is proposed as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, while the French Christine Lagarde is proposed to head the European Central Bank.
“JEF Finland congratulates the nominated candidates. We are pleased that competent individuals who strongly support European integration have been proposed for these positions. We are especially delighted that women are finally being proposed to lead the Commission and the ECB”, comments JEF Finland President Iiris Asunmaa.
The appointment process for the leadership positions has been extremely difficult, and surprises have not been avoided. The heads of state and government of the member states rejected the chances of the lead candidates nominated by the European political parties to become Commission President. The nominations will next proceed to the European Parliament, but it is unclear whether they will win the approval of MEPs who supported the lead candidate system.
“Bypassing the lead candidates was truly regrettable. The Commission President should be chosen through an open and democratic process, not in closed cabinet negotiations. All in all, the appointment process gave a very unfortunate picture of EU decision-making, and we cannot accept that”, criticises Asunmaa.
JEF Finland demands that the lead candidate system be reformed by the next European elections. The European political parties must not only develop the ways in which lead candidates are chosen, but also engage in closer cooperation with both the heads of state and government of the member states and Parliament.
“The lead candidate system has its problems, but it is still the best and most democratic way of choosing the Commission President. However, the process must be developed to be considerably clearer and more engaging”, states Asunmaa.
For further information:
Iiris Asunmaa
President
JEF Finland
tel. 050 918 7390
iiris.asunmaa(at)eurooppanuoret.fi