European Union Leaders on Course for Stability Amid Electoral Upsets

European Union leaders convened on Thursday to appoint key figures to lead the bloc’s institutions for the upcoming five-year term, underscoring their dedication to supporting Ukraine and the necessity for stability amid recent electoral surprises in Europe and, potentially, the United States.

Leadership Selections

• Ursula von der Leyen: The German conservative was nominated for a second term as the head of the European Commission, the influential executive arm of the E.U.
• António Costa: A Socialist and former Prime Minister of Portugal, he was chosen as the President of the European Council, comprising the 27 heads of government, to complement von der Leyen’s political and geographical background.
• Kaja Kallas: The Prime Minister of Estonia, known for her firm stance on Russia, was selected as the bloc’s top diplomat.

Significance of Selections

The appointment of these three experienced politicians, who share strong working relationships, reflects the E.U. leaders’ strategy to place moderate figures at the helm of crucial institutions, amidst the rise of right-leaning political figures like Giorgia Meloni in Italy and nationalist parties such as Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France.

The re-election of Ursula von der Leyen will be subject to a challenging vote in the European Parliament, where she must rally support to secure a majority in the 720-seat assembly during a secret ballot scheduled for mid-July. Being part of a center-right grouping, von der Leyen faces the task of gaining sufficient backing, although this group falls short of a majority.