Charles Michel's intention to step down early as president of the European Council has set off negotiations for top EU jobs, with former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi seen by some as “one of the main candidates” to succeed Michel. The Financial Times writes it.
“It is difficult to predict the order of agreements to fill top EU positions, which also depend on the outcome of the European elections,” notes the City of London newspaper. How precise. “A source close to Draghi said he is not seeking a leading role in the bloc.” “He is unlikely to say no if asked seriously, but he will not force his way in,” Nathalie Tocci told the FT. On Friday in Brussels, the former Italian prime minister will “brief members of the Commission on the initial work of the EU Competitiveness Report”, which is expected to be published after the European elections.
Other names put forward for the European Council position, according to the FT, include Spain's Pedro Sánchez and Denmark's Mette Frederiksen. “Unlike Draghi, both leaders are linked to major European political parties, an important factor in EU appointments. “Draghi’s lack of party affiliation will ‘hinder’ him, a European diplomat said.”
“While Draghi's extensive resume would guarantee him a strong presence at the summit table, his outspoken positions on policies, including fiscal integration, could irritate countries like Germany, which have traditionally had the opposite stance,” the newspaper further notes. “'It's too political,' said an EU official briefed on the discussions. 'The balance [al tavolo del vertice] that is not right'”.
Draghi will also speak at the EU Commissioners' seminar on Friday
According to our knowledge, the first seminar of the EU commissioners planned for 2024 will take place on Friday. These are non-public meetings at which the EU Commissioners, also in the presence of President Ursula von der Leyen, discuss the priorities on the table. At the seminar on Friday we learn again, we will also talk about competitiveness and in the first session of the meeting Mario Draghi is expected, who was commissioned by der Leyen to prepare a report on the ways to improve Europe's competitiveness.
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