Each European party will send one or more of the top candidates for the European election, into the race. Their respective chances to be at the end of the EU-President of the Commission, but are different in size.
After the European elections, the new Commission will be elected President. This is nominated by the heads of state and government, the need to take into account the result of the election “” he then of the election in Parliament. This means, the candidate of the party with the most votes should be in the normal case, the President of the Commission. However, the heads of state and government are not forced to adhere to this principle. In addition, also the strongest group for the election of the Commission President of the Alliance partners needs. So there could be Surprises. Each of the candidates in the Overview.
Manfred Weber
A politician of the Bavarian regional party CSU as a possible President of the Commission? That was a few years ago, hard to imagine, as some CSU-politicians criticized the EU’s focus. The 46-year-old Weber has an amazing career in the European Parliament and is since 2014 at the top of the largest faction, the European people’s party, EPP. Especially by this top candidate of the CSU operates in Bavaria, now a decidedly Europe-friendly election campaign. So consistently European Weber thinks, he creates, if necessary, with the Federal government in Berlin if he believes their policy is harmful to the EU. This is what happened, as the Weber a stop of the gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 from Russia to Germany.
Weber is the opposite of a sharp maker. He is worth a conservative, Christian, but always emphasized moderately and objectively. Weber knows that he must integrate as a group Chairman and as President of the Commission. His understanding of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, whose Fidesz party has in the meantime been suspended from the EPP, however, many too far. As Orbán insulted with an Anti-immigration poster campaign, the current Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, was ruined the relationship for good. Orbán no longer want to support Weber, when it comes, to be President of the Commission.
Balancing Bayer: Manfred Weber
In the migration policy, Weber relies mainly on the protection of the EU’s external borders: “The border security is a precondition for a sensible refugee policy. The state will decide who comes to Europe, and not the gangs”. A CO2-tax, a trained environmental engineer rejects: “You must see that the CO2 tax may sound good, but they mean higher fuel prices and higher heating oil prices for the Poorer in society.”
With Manfred Weber, the EPP has a balanced top candidates, which is far more than its group, selected. What it lacks are Charisma, experience in Government and simply awareness. He would be the head of the Commission, it would be the first Time in more than 50 years ago, that a German had to take the top position.
Frans Timmermans
Frans Timmermans, the second strongest group of the social Democrats and socialists in the race. He has some of what is missing from Weber. Prior to his current Post as first Vice-President of the Commission of the 58-year-old Dutch member of Parliament was the Parliament in The Hague, and later the Dutch foreign Minister. He is worldly and speaks English, German, French, Russian and Italian fluently. As a Commissioner, has made Timmermans especially for climate protection and the reduction of plastic disposable products. “We need a CO2 tax,” is his clear message, which Timmermans settles significantly from Weber.
In the migration policy Timmermans for more control. However, while Weber laments the “uncontrolled state” by 2015, praises, of all things, the social-Democrat Timmermans, the “humanity” of the refugee policy of the CDU-Chancellor Angela Merkel at this time: “she had saved Europe,” he says.
Worldly and know: Frans Timmermans
Timmermans is fighting for a more social EU and to the European minimum wage, a United Europe should be a strong voice in the world. He warns that Europe could go through right-wing populists are “broken”. The European election is a fateful choice: “If we remain indifferent and not vote, it can happen to us, just as it is in America happened, as the Brexit in the UK is happening.”
Timmermans main problem is his party affiliation is. His group is likely to lose according to the polls, votes and the distance to the EPP increase. In addition, there are among the member States, have the right of proposal, hardly left-wing governments. And as Timmermans was in the Commission for the rule of law, responsible and in Poland and Hungary deficits has denounced, he is also such governments is almost a red cloth.
Margrethe Vestager
The liberals have officially equal to seven top candidates. Nevertheless, EU competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager from Denmark is clearly in the center. The 51-Year-old was previously the economic and Minister of the interior in Denmark. In Brussels, she has brought the art piece, ready to be as a member of the often dusty, mocked the Commission of an Art Star, because they are mighty Internet offers companies the forehead. Apple has ordered the Payment of 13 billion euros in taxes in Ireland and Google penalties from a total of more than eight billion euros for market abuse. In the case of the European population, the good to come.
Fearless against corporations: Margrethe Vestager
Vestager, it’s time for a woman is finally at the top of the Commission, so for you. Although the liberals only fourth-strongest faction in the European Parliament, your odds are not so bad. Because they are programmatically open to the left and to the right and could tip the scales. The popular Margrethe Vestager out of the question, thus, as a compromise solution for the top post.
The liberals, however, have hoped in vain that would connect the French party La République en Marche of the French President, Emmanuel Macron. Macron even said openly that he was against the top candidate principle, and made it clear that the heads of state and government might propose a completely different Person.
Ska Keller
Together with the Dutch Bas Eickhout, the 37-year-old German Ska Keller top woman in the Green is. On a par with the Left, the Greens are only the fifth strongest of the group, therefore, Keller’s chances to be President of the Commission virtually nil. But Keller’s presence in the European Parliament, and now in the election campaign is great. Hardly any of the top candidates to lead such a dedicated election campaign. She grew up in the GDR and argues with this experience, you should not take democracy for granted.
Engaged Fighter: Ska Keller
Your big topics of climate protection, Migration and fair trade. In a duel against Manfred Weber, you said to play down the issue of climate protection “The climate can’t wait.” The basement, as a front for a liberal refugee policy and was save at the beginning of this year on Board a ship of the German Association of Sea Watch, the migrants in the Mediterranean sea. In social policy, she calls for Europe-wide minimum social standards.
Jan Zahradil
The European Conservatives and reformists, ECR, before the liberals are the third largest group in the European Parliament. However, for two reasons, your top man, the 56-year-old Czech Jan Zahradil, plays in the appointment of the Commission presidency. On the one hand, the British Conservatives form the largest group in the ECR, and even if the UK takes on, the choice part, you will be eliminated in the case of a Brexit, of course. On the other hand, the ECR is in its orientation not only conservative, but to a large extent also the EU-sceptical to the right-wing populist.
The EU and climate sceptic, Jan Zahradil
Jan Zahradil is not just for more European Integration, but rather a Dismantling of the EU. That climate change is man-made, he is out of the question.
Nico Cué
Also outsider Nico Cué. Together with the Slovenian Violeta Tomić Cué is the two leaders of the left faction. As a child, fled Cué and his family from the Spain of Franco, in Belgium. The former metal trade unionists committed to the traditional goals of the Left: redistribution, nationalization, protection of European industry in non-European competition. The right-wing populism he sees as a “fascist threat”, needs to be decided.
Classic Linker: Nico Cué
Cué to himself that he can’t be conditions in the existing Majority the Commission President. But he wants to use the candidacy, in order to make the Situation of the workers and to fight for Europe-wide solidarity. In the negative headlines he got last October in connection with the controversial weapons sales to Saudi Arabia. In a discussion round, the Belgian radio reported to have spoken Cué, Walloon arms manufacturer, as long as Saudi-should deliver to Arabia, until there is a unified European stance.