Since the European elections four weeks ago, the EU is, who should occupy the most important Offices argue. Progress is not in sight. The second result of the EU summit threatens. From Brussels Bernd Riegert.
Dark storm clouds hang these days about Brussels and of course also the “Europe”-Council building, where, on Thursday afternoon, the heads of state and head of government of the EU regular summit. “You could really use a cleansing summer storm, to see clearly in the haze,” says a veteran European Diplomat on the sidelines of the numerous Briefings and background talks are offered prior to the summit.
But really, nobody knows what the haze and veil of the main theme, the selection of staff for the top posts in the EU, scan to. After the elections to the European Parliament at the end of may, five Posts are to be filled: The President, or the President of the EU Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament and of the European Central Bank. In addition, the high representative of the EU, as a kind of foreign Minister. At the last summit meeting before three and a half weeks, only two days after the election, had only been decided that a minimum of two Posts should go to women.
Top candidates in the election campaign: Who is the head of the Commission?
Difficult search for the majority
More was not in it, because to fill the leadership positions, you need Consensus among the 28 heads of state and government in the European Council and a majority in the newly elected European Parliament. The new political groups in the Parliament are probably not yet come to a conclusion, which of the “top candidates” from the own rows to the EU Commission President would nominate.
In the European elections, the previously large blocks – a Christian were weakened Democrats and social Democrats. Liberal, Green and right-wing populists have been stronger. For a stable majority is a cooperation between the first four groups is needed, as with the right-wing populists, nobody wants to form a coalition. The Christian Democrats, the strongest of the group, is to make the German Faction leader Manfred Weber (CSU), President of the Commission. The reject not only the other parties in the Parliament, but also some of the heads of state and government in the European Council, vehemently. The Council has the right of proposal, without his nomination, the Parliament may choose anyone.
Therefore, exploratory run for three weeks, discussions in the Parliament among the political groups, in the parties and with the Council. There is lightning and thunder in these discussions, massive outside Brussels in the summer hot, but “the process is by no means to come to a result,” says a senior EU Diplomat. It will therefore be this Thursday at the summit will also give a solution to the five-a personnel package that must take into account, in addition to the parties, including the national distribution within the EU.
If the Germans get something, want to get the French to train. The Eastern Europeans, or the countries of the South are not allowed to feel ignored. A Balance between Small and Big, net payers and receivers must be found. And a certain amount of Aptitude and language skill and the appropriate gender should have the candidates yet.
Without it, nothing: Chancellor Angela Merkel (li runs.) and the President of France, Macron must be agreed
Period until the beginning of July
As all key strategic decisions for the future of the EU, could you take some little time with the decision, says a top official preparing the summit. “We have a hundred percent Chance that by the beginning of July there is a solution,” says the official. Because in the 2. July will determine the European Parliament in the constituent meeting, its President, i.e. the part of the personnel package cords, it alone can determine. If it is not clear who gets the rest of the Post, can’t rise the whole equation.
It is possible that the heads of state and government on Thursday, also other candidates, from their Hats to conjure up, which so far nobody had on the bill. The former member of the European Parliament Elmar Brok (CDU) appealed to the DW to the Council and the Parliament to act responsibly and to keep Europe capable of decision-making. EU Commission President should be, who could boast a majority in the European Parliament. “This may also be the candidate of the second largest party. But, of course, the candidate of the largest parliamentary party, the election winner has the first right to seek a majority.”
In other words: If there is the Christian-Democrat Manfred Weber doesn’t manage to organize a majority, could come from the social democratic candidate, Frans Timmermans, to the course. Or maybe the liberal Margaret Vestager, the is occurred in the election campaign as a “Spizenkandidatin”, but the support of France’s President Emmanuel Macron to enjoy.
Thoughtful at the last summit: chief Sondierer Donald Tusk
And a little bit of climate protection
The current President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, the leaves in the fall from the office, said before the summit that the differences are still large, but there is the will to be until the beginning of July. He will, announced Tusk, further individual discussions with the heads of government to come to a personal package in more detail.
Donald Tusk recalled that the summit will deal with issues such as the “Strategic Agenda” of the EU for the next five years. A special role to play in climate policy, which is available in some EU member States strongly in the public debate. The EU should commit itself to economies up to 2050, without carbon dioxide emissions, many heads of state and government. Others, especially in Eastern Europe, still have doubts about whether and how the success can. Therefore, it will be well also to climate policy, no real decisions. The issue will be pushed further. Here, too, the dark clouds remain in the sky. Severe weather threaten.