The deal comes after three days of negotiations
URSULA von der Leyen will be the new president of the European Commission and Christine Lagarde will be the new president of the European Central Bank . That, at least, is the proposal of the EU’s heads of government, who met in Brussels today for an unexpected third day of talks on the allocation of the EU’s top jobs. The European Council, which comprises the heads of government of the 28 member states, initially gathered on Sunday evening.
Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, Europe’s two most powerful leaders, had initially put forward a package that would have seen Frans Timmermans, a Dutch social democrat, lead the commission. Mr Timmermans was a so-called “Spitzenkandidat” or lead candidate. In other words, his political family had designated him its candidate for the commission job ahead of the European election which took place from May 23rd to May 26th.
The package is not perfect, but nor is it terrible. Ms von der Leyen, though not dazzlingly charismatic, is a mature and moderate administrator who speaks fluent English. Mr Borrell will be the most heavyweight figure to serve as high representative since the job’s creation in 2009. Mr Michel is a decent deal-broker . And Ms Lagarde is a capable communicator who has said sensible things about the euro-zone, avoiding the ideological hawkishness of her German counterparts.
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