As usual there are many discussions taking place in Brussels. At the moment the main topic of discussion is who could replace Ursula von der Leyen at the helm of the European Commission. She is the leading candidate, but is no longer seen by many as best suited to face the EU’s challenges over the next five years.
Many names are being discussed, including that of former ECB governor Mario Draghi, who is supported by French President Emmanuel Macron. But for the first time, the name of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the position of Commission president is being publicly mentioned, by an authoritative media. As the magazine says Economist in today’s issue: “The situation will be deadlocked if the candidate proposed by the leaders fails to secure a majority in parliament. If not von der Leyen, then who? Mario Draghi, Italy’s former prime minister, will soon release a report on the future of the European economy that is likely to dovetail with Macron’s federalist vision and impress MEPs looking for a strong figure. But he is 76 years old and has not played any role in the pre-election campaign for the European elections. Others on the Center Right, such as Kyriakos Mitsotakis, would face similar questions to those facing the outgoing president. For this reason Von der Leyen still has the best chance. But the road to a second term is likely to face many problems.”
This is the first time that a publication has revealed that the name of the Greek Prime Minister is being discussed behind the scenes for the highest office of the EU. “For me there is absolutely no question”, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said last night (Sky), however, when asked if he was interested in any European position. “This discussion about a European position” he added “may be to a certain extent flattering and honorable, the name of a Greek Prime Minister is not often heard for such important positions, but it does not concern me at all”.
The publication, however, came to remind us that recently in Strasbourg, the German politician spoke to an almost empty room in the European Parliament, which shows that there is discomfort from the MEPs towards her person and therefore they may not vote for her when the time comes, after the elections of June. In theory, the leaders of the member countries will support it. Von der Leyen satisfied southern Europeans by creating the post-pandemic Recovery Fund, northern Europeans saw action on climate change, and eastern Europeans, except for the Hungarian prime minister, appreciate her steadfast support for Ukraine.
Spain’s Pedro Sanchez is not happy about her staunch pro-Israel stance, but even if she carries out his threat and resigns as prime minister, he has ambitions for another high office.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle in her way is Emmanuel Macron, who according to the Bloomberg agency is already “in contact with his European counterparts about the possibility of having a technocrat like Draghi at the helm of the European Commission. “Macron” writes Republic “he aims to be king of the negotiations for the leadership of the Commission that will start in less than two months and to insist on the promotion of Draghi.” Perhaps to forget, adds vitriolicly Εconomistthe defeat suffered by Marine Le Pen’s party in the European elections…
The European Parliament may prove to be von der Leyen’s biggest obstacle. A coalition of at least three groups will be needed to achieve a majority. Polls show that the centrist alliance will have a majority of only a few seats. Already some of her supposed allies, such as the French Republicans, have announced that they will not support her. Expanding her coalition by bringing in hardline partners like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would give her votes, but that could jeopardize her alliance with the Liberals, whose votes she also needs.
In addition to Draghi’s name, other names are circulating as possible successors. The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metzola, who, if von der Leyen does not receive the support she needs, may come to the fore. Christine Lagarde, mainly because she is French, after a period when the office was held by Germans. Of course, the fact that she is not popular works against her. The name of Klaus Ioannis, president of Romania, is also being discussed, to whom European leaders, especially the Conservatives, refer positively. With his second term ending in December, he too is seeking an international top job.
The Politico it also mentions the names of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton. Without ruling out, of course, some surprise: Kyriakos Mitsotakis?
