About: Spitzenkandidaten
European Parliament agrees position on EU election law overhaul
On Tuesday (3 May), the European Parliament adopted its position on a major reform of EU electoral law that would introduce bloc-wide transnational lists, following a compromise between the largest EU parties in March.
Transnational lists, top-candidate system no cure for EU ‘democratic deficit’
Transnational election lists and the Spitzenkandidaten system used during the EU elections to nominate the bloc’s leaders are no “miracle cures” to the “democratic deficit” in the EU, according to an information report presented by French senators on Tuesday (6 July). EURACTIV France reports.
Boosting EU’s democratic legitimacy: Parliament seeks electoral reforms
In a new European Parliament resolution, adopted this week, EU lawmakers called for reforms, including lowering the voting age, transnational lists, and gender balance rules, ahead of the next European elections in 2024.
Parliament kicks off debate on the Future of Europe conference
The European Parliament launched on Wednesday (15 January) the debate on the Future of Europe conference, expected to begin in May, and outlined its position ahead of talks with the Commission and Council.
Juncker regrets the lead candidate system was not respected in farewell
The outgoing president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, appeared before the press for one last time on Friday (29 November) and said he regretted that the Spitzenkandidaten system that landed him the top job in 2014 was not upheld this time.
Manfred Weber’s fall from grace: What now for the failed Spitzenkandidat?
Manfred Weber, the former German Spitzenkandidat for the European People's Party (EPP), has been on the defensive ever since his bid for the EU Commission presidency failed after the European elections in May. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
MEPs furious over Council’s ‘backroom horse-trade’ on EU top jobs
Lawmakers of the newly constituted European Parliament slammed EU leaders on Thursday (4 July) for their 'backroom package deal' on the EU's top jobs, with a potential inter-institutional conflict looming ahead as the chamber's decision to approve it is on a knife-edge.
In defiance of European Council, Parliament elects Italian Socialist as new president
The European Parliament elected Socialist David-Maria Sassoli as its new president and picked its extended leadership on Wednesday (3 July), after EU leaders trashed out a surprise package deal for the EU top jobs during a marathon summit the previous...
Weber forced to stand aside as EU leaders bypass Spitzenkandidaten
The EPP’s lead candidate for the European Commission Manfred Weber was forced to step down from his candidacy for the post on Tuesday (2 July), as it became clear he could not obtain sufficient support from EU member states.
The Brief – Die another day
As exactly the time when Europe actually could prove its credibility and make it visible for the whole world, EU institutions have buried themselves in a trench war over the election of their new leadership.
Locked in strife, EU leaders adjourn talks on top jobs for next morning
A summit of EU28 leaders was adjourned in acrimony on Monday (1 July) after almost 18 hours of talks failed to produce an agreement on how to carve out the bloc's top jobs, due to opposition from Eastern member states and divisions within the conservative European People's Party.
EU leaders entrenched over top jobs as EPP rebels against Merkel
As morning broke on 1 July, EU leaders were still unable to reach consensus over the distribution of top European jobs as conservatives from Central and Eastern Europe rejected a plan, endorsed by Angela Merkel, that would have installed Socialist Frans Timmermans at the helm of the new Commission.
Timmermans frontrunner as EU leaders decide against Weber for Commission president
EU leaders have agreed that conservative German candidate Manfred Weber will not become president of the next European Commission, Germany's Die Welt daily reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the decision. Instead, Socialist Frans Timmermans is now the frontrunner for the EU's top job.
Austria’s interim chancellor will have little say on EU top jobs
Austria will be represented by interim Chancellor Bierlein at the forthcoming EU special summit on Sunday (30 June). However, because she does not belong to any political party, the interim head of government will not be able to stand out with her own, pronounced opinion. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska for EURACTIV Germany.
Tusk in Osaka: EU closer on top jobs, but ‘no white smoke’
President Donald Tusk said Friday (28 June) the EU was "closer" to finding a compromise over the bloc's top jobs but an immediate breakthrough should not be expected ahead of a crunch Brussels summit.
What is making the power struggle for EU top jobs so complicated
Five top EU posts need to be distributed soon. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel is fighting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the European Parliament is wrestling with the European Council. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel provides a Q & A on the issue.
EPP source: Georgieva is backed by Orban, cannot be next EU Commission chief
The debate within the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) over the next European Commission boss has heated up following the last EU Council, in which EPP Spitzenkandidat Manfred Weber did not ensure a majority.
Germany’s CDU fears loss of influence following Weber mess
German tensions over Manfred Weber's candidacy for the European Commission presidency are deeply rooted in Germany's national politics. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Brief, powered by ADF International – Macron wins, again.
The European Council ended without EU leaders agreeing on who could be the candidate for the next European Commission president. But not all EU leaders are leaving Brussels empty-handed.
Tsipras: Unlike Weber, Timmermans and Vestager had wide support
The EPP’s “party choice” of Manfred Weber killed the Spitzenkandidaten process as two other candidates, socialist Frans Timmermans and liberal Margrethe Vestager, also had to be dropped despite actually enjoying wider support in the EU Council, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Friday (21 June).
Treaty against democracy: Franco-German arm wrestling reflects different political visions
The opposition between France and Germany over the appointment of the new European Commission president reflects their radically different political views. For France, the treaty and the best candidate matter the most, while for Germany, the priority is democracy. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron: ‘No majority for Mr. Weber’ and other Spitzenkandidats
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday (21 June) the three so-called Spitzenkandidaten – or lead candidates – for the European Commission presidency had each failed to receive enough support among European Union leaders in Brussels.
No ‘white smoke’ for EU’s top jobs, leaders adjourn until 30 June
EU leaders failed to reach an agreement in the early hours of Friday (21 June) on the EU's top jobs, as divisions over the process and the distribution of the posts impeded any progress.