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EU summit: Leaders back Von der Leyen for second term

Published June 27, 2024last updated June 28, 2024

At the Brussels summit, EU leaders endorsed Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president. They also agreed on top jobs for Kaja Kallas and Antonio Costa. DW has the latest.

https://p.dw.com/p/4hYwS
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen has served as the president of the EU's executive arm since 2019Image: Denis Balibouse/KEYSTONE/REUTERS/dpa/picture alliance
Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

  • EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss a deal reached by negotiators on top EU jobs
  • Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has signed a security pact with the bloc to secure support for Kyiv 'regardless of any internal changes'
  • Leaders to discuss joint defense projects, financing
  • EU leaders have formally agreed to back Ursula von der Leyen for another 5-year term at the helm of the European Commission
Skip next section Georgia's EU bid 'de facto' on hold
June 28, 2024

Georgia's EU bid 'de facto' on hold

EU leaders said on Thursday that Georgia's bid to join the bloc had been put on hold following the passing of a controversial law targeting alleged foreign influence that was inspired by similar Russian legislation.

Georgia became an official candidate country last year, but the new law, passed earlier this month, has become a hurdle to the southern Caucasus country's accession.

In a statement issued as EU leaders met in Brussels for a key summit, the bloc called on Georgian authorities "to clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of action which jeopardizes Georgia's EU path, de facto leading to a halt of the accession process."

The EU condemned the "foreign influence" law which it said "represented backsliding" on some of the advances made by the country on its path to becoming an EU member state. But the bloc is also wary of driving the former Soviet state back under Moscow's influence.

Georgia's NGOs fear impact of 'foreign influence law'

https://p.dw.com/p/4hc1G
Skip next section Ursula von der Leyen hails outcome of leadership talks
June 28, 2024

Ursula von der Leyen hails outcome of leadership talks

Ursula von der Leyen has thanked EU leaders for nominating her for a second term as president of the European Commission.

"Grateful to Leaders for endorsing my nomination for a second mandate," she said on social media.

"Delighted to share this moment with my friends Antonio Costa and Kaja Kallas."

She said she would now present her political agenda to MEPs ahead of a vote to confirm her.

https://p.dw.com/p/4hbyS
Skip next section Estonia's Kallas welcomes 'enormous responsibility' of top foreign policy job
June 28, 2024

Estonia's Kallas welcomes 'enormous responsibility' of top foreign policy job

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said she was "honored" to be nominated to replace Josep Borrell as the European Union's foreign policy chief.

"This has enormous responsibility at this moment of geopolitical tensions," she said in a statement.

Kallas must still be endorsed by a majority in the European Parliament to be confirmed. She said she would make her case to MEPs in the coming days.

"The war in Europe, increasing instability in our neighborhood and globally are the main challenges for European foreign policy," Kallas said.

"My aim will be to work on achieving EU unity, protect the EU's interests and values in the changed geopolitical context, and build global partnerships."

The 47-year-old, who previously sat as an MEP before becoming Estonia's first woman prime minister in 2021, is a leading critic of the Kremlin within the EU.

https://p.dw.com/p/4hbwY
Skip next section Incoming European Council president 'delighted' by outcome
June 28, 2024

Incoming European Council president 'delighted' by outcome

Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said he was "delighted" by EU leaders' nominations for the bloc's three top jobs, including his nomination to replace Charles Michel as head of the European Council.

"As president of the European Council, from 1 December, I will be fully committed to promoting unity between all 27 Member States and focused on putting on track the Strategic Agenda, which the European Council has approved today and will provide guidance to the European Union for the next five years," Costa said on social media.

The 62-year-old stepped down as Portugal's prime minister in November last year amid an investigation into his government's handling of several large investment projects.

The center-left politician said he was assuming the role with a "huge sense of mission."

https://p.dw.com/p/4hbwW
Skip next section VIDEO: EU and Ukraine sign long-term security pact
June 28, 2024

VIDEO: EU and Ukraine sign long-term security pact

The European Union is pledging to provide Ukraine with military, financial, diplomatic and humanitarian support over the long term. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the agreement while on a visit to Brussels during a summit of EU leaders. 

EU, Ukraine sign long-term security pact

https://p.dw.com/p/4hbvp
Skip next section Leaders formally move to re-appoint Ursula von der Leyen
June 27, 2024

Leaders formally move to re-appoint Ursula von der Leyen

EU leaders formally nominated Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president late on Thursday.

The choice was not a surprise as leaders had informally agreed to support von der Leyen as part of a deal struck on Tuesday.

The leaders also officially agreed on the appointments of former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa as head of the European Council and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as foreign policy chief.

Two of the endorsements do not mean they have been confirmed just yet, as von der Leyen and Kallas will still need to win the support of a majority in the freshly elected European Parliament.

https://p.dw.com/p/4hbvs
Skip next section Czech Republic's Fiala welcomes European Commission negotiations
June 27, 2024

Czech Republic's Fiala welcomes European Commission negotiations

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has praised early negotiations surrounding European Union leadership positions.

"It is crucial for the Czech Republic that the distribution respects not only political but also geographical balance," he said on social media.

"The names that have been proposed so far meet these criteria."

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Portugal's former Prime Minister Antonio Costa were among the names floated so far for senior roles.

Fiala said he had a good relationship with some of the candidates.

"I know all of them personally, they have a positive relationship with the Czech Republic and I have very good experience working with them," he said.

Fiala is aligned with the right-wing populist ECR faction, headed by Italy's Giorgia Meloni, in the European Parliament. It remains to be seen whether Fiala's support for the list of names will have an impact on Meloni herself who previously denounced the selection process.

Centrist coalition will decide on EU top jobs: DW's Jack Parrock

https://p.dw.com/p/4hbvh
Skip next section PICTURES EU leaders meet in Brussels
June 27, 2024

PICTURES EU leaders meet in Brussels

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron speak during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels
European Union leaders are expected to discuss the next EU top jobsImage: Olivier Hoslet/AP/picture alliance
Olaf Scholz, Giorgia Meloni und Viktor Orban in Brussels
Italy's Giorgia Meloni (center) and Hungary's Viktor Orban (right) denounced the process ahead of the summit to select new leaders for the EU's top jobsImage: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/picture alliance
Netherland's Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for an EU summit in Brussels
Mark Rutte is attending the summit for the last time as Dutch premier. He will become NATO Secretary General in OctoberImage: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/picture alliance
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Council President Charles Michel in discussion at the EU summit in Brussels
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told European leaders Russia's offensive in Kharkiv showed the existing level of international pressure on Moscow was insufficientImage: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/picture alliance
https://p.dw.com/p/4hbT4
Skip next section Tusk to receive Zelenskyy in Warsaw before July NATO summit
June 27, 2024

Tusk to receive Zelenskyy in Warsaw before July NATO summit

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that he will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before July 9.

"We agreed with President Zelenskyy to talk in Warsaw before the NATO summit," Tusk said in a post published on the platform X, formerly Twitter, as he and Zelenskyy attended an EU summit in Brussels.

"The EU has understood what Poles have known from the start of this war: the defense of Ukraine is the defense of Europe," Tusk said.

The July 9 NATO summit is scheduled to be held in Washington, DC.

Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy signed with leaders in Brussels a security agreement that committed EU member states to continue supporting Ukraine "regardless of any internal institutional changes."

https://p.dw.com/p/4hbFC
Skip next section Orban labels top jobs deal as 'shameful agreement'
June 27, 2024

Orban labels top jobs deal as 'shameful agreement'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized Ursula von der Leyen's party, the center-right European People's Party (EPP), and its allies for what he described as a "shameful agreement" on dividing the EU's top jobs. 

"European voters have been deceived. The EPP formed a coalition of lies with the left and the liberals. We do not support this shameful agreement!" Orban said on X, formerly Twitter.

The nationalist Hungarian leader's remarks echoed earlier comments by Italy's far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, who also claimed the deal ignored the voters' will. 

The EPP agreed with its main allies, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the centrist Renew, on a deal to propose candidates to helm the EU following the elections. The deal was endorsed by six leaders, including France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Olaf Scholz, acting as negotiators for their political families. 

https://p.dw.com/p/4hawA
Skip next section Scholz aims to discuss financing host countries of Ukrainian refugees
June 27, 2024

Scholz aims to discuss financing host countries of Ukrainian refugees

 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks to the media as European leaders gathered at a summit in Brussels
Scholz said a new EU deal with Ukraine is an important sign of solidarity in difficult timesImage: Yves Herman/REUTERS

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for financial support for EU countries that have hosted the most Ukrainian refugees. 

In remarks to the press upon arrival at the summit, Scholz noted that Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic are among those countries. 

"If other countries are less involved in taking in refugees," he said, this must mean that the EU supports the host countries "especially financially." Scholz said such financing was needed in areas such as living expenses or integration and language courses

He said he expected the topic to be discussed in the two-day summit. 

Scholz's remarks come amid calls by German conservative politicians to limit help for Ukrainian refugees in Germany.

The leader of the Bavarian conservatives (CSU) in parliament, Alexander Dobrindt, had said that Ukrainian refugees in Germany should "start working or return to safe areas in west Ukraine."

Last month, after years of debate, the EU formally approved new migration and asylum rules that include tougher borders and shared responsibility among the bloc's members.

https://p.dw.com/p/4haDb
Skip next section Zelenskyy signs EU-Ukraine security pact
June 27, 2024

Zelenskyy signs EU-Ukraine security pact

European Council President Charles Michel, left, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, pose with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they take part in a signature ceremony of a security agreement during an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, June 27
Zelenskyy took part in a signing ceremony of the security agreement during an EU summit in BrusselsImage: ASSOCIATED PRESS/picture alliance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security agreement with the EU that he had earlier hailed as an advancement of "peace and prosperity."

The new security agreement, dubbed "Joint Security Commitments between the EU and Ukraine," ensures the bloc's support to Kyiv "regardless of any internal institutional changes," Zelenskyy had earlier said.

After taking part in the signing ceremony, Zelenskyy is addressing EU leaders who are meeting in Brussels to agree on dividing the bloc's top jobs after the latest European Parliament election. 

Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is expected to be selected as the next EU foreign policy chief, and Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda also signed bilateral security agreements with Zelenskyy in Brussels.

https://p.dw.com/p/4haUY
Skip next section 'No decision without Meloni,' Poland's Tusk says amid Italian leader pushback
June 27, 2024

'No decision without Meloni,' Poland's Tusk says amid Italian leader pushback

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who was part of the negotiating team that proposed the top jobs, said there had been a "misunderstanding" after his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, criticized the deal. 

Tusk said the deal was reached only "to facilitate the process" and for Meloni and other leaders to make the decision, adding: "no-one respects PM Meloni and Italy more than I do."

"There is no Europe without Italy and there is no decision without Prime Minister Meloni," he said. 

Meloni, whose political group in the European Parliament is now the third-largest, had said the deal naming the new top EU officials did not take into account the will of EU citizens "who are calling for a more concrete, less ideological Europe."

Italy: Why do people vote for right-wing populists?

https://p.dw.com/p/4ha4v
Skip next section Ukraine pact to guarantee EU support 'regardless of any internal institutional changes'
Published June 27, 2024last updated June 27, 2024

Ukraine pact to guarantee EU support 'regardless of any internal institutional changes'

European Council President Charles Michel, right, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak with the media during arrivals for an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, June 27
Zelenskyy made brief remarks to the press as he arrived at the summitImage: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/picture alliance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was in Brussels to attend the EU summit and "thank all European leaders for their unity and for affirming the irreversibility of our European course."

Zelenskyy said he would sign three agreements, including one with the EU.

"For the first time, this agreement will enshrine the commitment of all 27 Member States to provide Ukraine with extensive support, regardless of any internal institutional changes," he said.

Outgoing European Council President Charles Michel told reporters that the security agreement would "give the message we intend to support Ukraine as long as it takes."

Zelenskyy did not provide details about the other two, but they are likely the outcome of bilateral talks on the sidelines with leaders of EU member states.

Ukraine has already signed several bilateral security agreements with allies including the US, France, Germany, Britain and Japan. Such agreements are not mutual defense pacts, but they rather outline the countries' commitments to support Ukraine with military aid and other forms of assistance over a number of years.

https://p.dw.com/p/4hZmJ
Skip next section What else is on the agenda?
June 27, 2024

What else is on the agenda?

Leaders of the EU's 27 member states are set to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and economic competitiveness. They are also expected to adopt a strategic agenda for the next five years.

The EU's support for Ukraine will also be discussed, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to sign a security agreement with the bloc. Attending the talks in Brussels, Zelenskyy is set to brief EU leaders on the situation on the front line in Ukraine.

https://p.dw.com/p/4hYxA
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