A decision on the next president of the EU commission will take place in Strasbourg next week.
In the run-up to the recent European elections, the EPP Group elected Ursula von der Leyen as its Spitzenkandidat to become the next President of the European Commission.
She is also the EU Member States’ candidate for this position for the EU Summit on 27 July.
The former German defence minister, who has served as president for the past five year,is a hot favourite to be voted in for another term.
A spokesman for the EPP Group told this site, “The priorities for the new mandate will be to step up European security and defence and to massively boost European economic competitiveness.”
“Other priorities are to preserve the European way of life and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.”
He added, “Ursula von der Leyen has the full support of the EPP Group.”
The EPP also says it is “proud” to propose Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola as its candidate for the President of the European Parliament, a job she has been doing for the past five years as well.”
The spokesman added, “With her fresh, young and open style of leadership, she has become the face of European democracy over the last two and a half years.”
The election will take place on Tuesday morning.
Having “won” the European elections, the EPP Group, with 188 MEPs, is the largest and most influential political group in the European Parliament.Forming any majority will be impossible without its support.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Socialist group in the parliament told this site, “Our support for the next president of the European Commission does not come as a blank cheque.”
“We expect them to deliver on crucial priorities for EU citizens.”
The spokesman went on, “The European Union needs to make a powerful and tangible difference in people’s daily lives.”
“The concerns of people are clear – cost of living, affordable housing, quality jobs and quality public health services, the disruptive risks from climate change, the rights of women and of minorities, and not least, security and defence are among those concerns that rank highest.”
“They also know that Europe cannot slow down its efforts to fight climate change, but that these efforts must go hand in hand with a just transition that leaves nobody behind.”
“On top of that, they know that the EU’s unwavering economic, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine, with the participation of all its Member States, is vital for the security and the future of the European continent.”
MEPs will also confirm the number and size of Parliament’s standing committees, sub-committees and delegations on Wednesday. Membership of the committees will be announced later on Friday.
The vote on the proposal by the Conference of Presidents (i.e. the President and political group leaders) to set up the European Parliament’s committees and delegations for the new legislative period is expected to take place on Wednesday.
The lists of MEPs to be appointed to each committee (which are decided internally by the political groups and non-attached members) are expected to be announced on Friday.
Key moments next week include:
· Election of Parliament’s President
· Election of Parliament’s Bureau: 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors
· Numerical strength and composition of Parliament’s committees and sub-committees and numerical strength of inter-parliamentary delegations
· Election of the President of the European Commission
· Debate with Charles Michel and the European Commission on the 27 July European Council.
· Russia’s war against Ukraine: statements by political group leaders and vote on a resolution.
