The heads of state of the European Union member states will gather in Brussels for the summer European Council on Thursday and Friday. This official EU summit is a continuation of the unofficial summit held the previous week, where the leaders were unable to reach an agreement on the EU’s top appointments over dinner.
This time, the leaders are expected to discuss the strategic agenda of the next commission if an agreement is reached on the appointments. The Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, mentioned that discussions at the last summit did not focus on specific candidates for the top positions but hinted at potential selections.
Rumors suggest that a German Christian Democrat will continue to lead the EU Commission, while a Portuguese socialist will become the President of the European Council, and an Estonian liberal will take on the role of the high representative for the EU’s foreign relations. Additionally, a Maltese Christian Democrat is expected to continue serving as the Speaker of the Parliament.
The appointments to these positions are indirectly related to the selection of the next Secretary General of NATO. The length of the mandates for these roles is still under discussion, with the EPP seeking a longer term for the president of the European Council. However, the Social Democrats’ strong election results make it challenging for the EPP to secure the desired mandate split.
The upcoming EU summit is crucial for maintaining stability within the EU. As the political landscape shifts, with France facing potential turmoil and Italy’s Prime Minister demanding representation in key EU positions, trust and cooperation among EU member states will be essential for navigating these challenges effectively.