In a decisive move within the European People’s Party (EPP), the period for submitting candidates for the presidency of the European Commission closed today at 12:00 CET. EPP President Manfred Weber received a unique nomination letter from the Christlich Demokratische Union (CDU, Germany), proposing Ursula von der Leyen as the lead candidate. This nomination was reinforced by the support of two EPP member parties, Platforma Obywatelska (PO, Poland) and Nea Demokratia (ND, Greece), thus strengthening von der Leyen’s candidacy.
The next steps in the selection process, as described in the “Application Procedure and Timetable”, involve a review of the application at the EPP Political Assembly scheduled for March 5, 2024. After validation, the application will be put to a vote crucial to the EPP Political Assembly. Party Congress in Bucharest on March 7, 2024. With no other candidates presented, all eyes are on the EPP’s internal procedures which pave the way for the selection of their lead candidate for the prestigious role of presidency of the European Commission. The appointment of Ursula von der Leyen sets the stage for an important moment in European politics, marking a decisive turning point in determining the future direction of the European Commission.
The process of selecting the main candidates for the presidency of the European Commission, also known as the Spitzenkandidaten process, gained prominence during the 2014 European Parliament elections. This innovative approach aimed to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the European Union by directly linking the election results to the appointment of the President of the Commission. The leading candidate of the political group which obtains the most seats in the European Parliament is traditionally appointed to the presidency of the Commission, subject to the approval of the European Council.
Even though the Spitzenkandidaten process has faced challenges and debates over its legitimacy and implementation, it remains an important mechanism for involving European citizens in the selection of the Commission president. The nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as the EPP’s lead candidate underlines the continued relevance and evolution of this process in shaping the future leadership of the European Union. As the EPP progresses through its internal review and voting procedures, the outcome will not only determine the party’s candidate, but also influence the broader political landscape of the European Commission.
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