Why the EU Can’t Agree on a New President

Last week, the EU Council met to decide on a new commission executive. However, while it was widely expected that the centrist bloc could convince other parties to vote for their choice, an agreement appears now increasingly unlikely. In this video, we take a look at why the EU can't agree on a Commission, what happens next, and whether this could be the end for Ursula von der Leyen.

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[TLDRnewsEU]

Update: The six EU leaders negotiating the bloc's top jobs have again agreed to put forward Von der Leyen for another term as Commission President, however they’ve now got to convince the rest of the Council (made up of the leaders of all EU member states) to agree to the nomination at a meeting on Thursday. This is basically what happened a week or so ago, but the Council failed to agree, so we'll have to wait and see what happens this time round.

[glima]

If the EU elects Mario and he serves a full term they will finally unlock playing the president as Luigi

[ArtifexExMachina]

In Germany she was so unpopular as a Defense Minister, that they sent her to do EU politics. Those parties really need to reflect a bit more before pushing some candidates, this "It's my turn next" mentality they tend to have really isn't doing them any favour if you consider how unpopular some of those people were when they hold less important offices.

[ThisGuyCarlo]

Draghi would definitely be a bit more wise than Ursula

[frankschmitz]

Not again Von der Leyen. Please throw her out.

[yansen]

Draghi would be way way better than Ursula

[johndewever]

Ursula has been a disaster, let’s hope she doesn’t get that job back

[LumenMichaelOne]

So let Mario Draghi run The Commission. Maybe he will be better.

[angemalaurie]

As an ecologist im flabergasted that the Green coalition dare put the politic stability in danger to prevent nuclear when its à very good energy source to reduce carbone emission quicly. And other ecologist I talk to seem to agree so I Wonder if they still represent well the people voting for them

[cathyrohrer]

The corruption lady can continue, shameful

[stuff]

Practically anyone would be better than Ursula....

[kanavaro]

She's not only the incumbent president but also incompetent.

[wolfgang]

Ursula has done more than enough damage to the EU citizens.
Get her out.

[paleopteryx]

von der liar belongs behind bars, not leading the EU comission

[GoGoFrance]

Left in France 💙

In the land of romance and art,
Where voices echo from every heart,
There's a call for change, a call for hope,
To break free from the olden rope.

Vote for the Left, stand up and fight,
For a future that's bright, for a world that's right.
In France, we sing, in unity we dance,
For progress and justice, give Left a chance.

From Paris to Marseille, Lyon to Bordeaux,
The people rise, their spirits soar,
Equality and rights, they demand to see,
In the Left, they find unity.

Vote for the Left, stand up and fight,
For a future that's bright, for a world that's right.
In France, we sing, in unity we dance,
For progress and justice, give Left a chance.

In the streets, the chants grow loud,
As hope spreads like a vibrant cloud,
Together we march, hand in hand,
For a fairer, brighter land.

Vote for the Left, stand up and fight,
For a future that's bright, for a world that's right.
In France, we sing, in unity we dance,
For progress and justice, give Left a chance.

So let your voice be heard this day,
In the ballot box, pave the way,
For a France where all can thrive and be,
Vote for the Left, and set us free.

[stephenhall]

Ms von der Leyen is not eligible for consideration on the grounds that she repeatedly exceeded her actual authority in many matters prior to the Ukraine conflict. Examples are attempted leverage in sovereign UK matters, threats to sovereign internal legislation in Poland, several occasions of straight bullying of Hungary, her protests in "sofagate" in Turkey when seating had actually been arranged by Mr Michel's office as President of the Council.
Her perceived authority (in her own mind and what she is allowed to get away with) compared with the clearly stated functions and limitations of the position of the president of the EU Commission reveal a general gap.
Re Ukraine, von der Leyen went way beyond the terms of her office to the extent of offering 'fast tracking' of the EU membership process. This was an act of dishonesty to the Ukrainian people because admission rules are clear and immutable. They are also properly democratic. The EU is supposed to only admit democracies yet she constantly in talks with Kiev officials outwith the operation of even the most elastic definition of democracy. She did this to cover the fact that she had been dishonest to the people of Ukraine.
Her innate dishonesty has shown many times in a career of frankly dismal achievements (such as being ignored by chiefs of staff when she was Germany's minister of defense) and she never fully admitted to the plagiarism charges of her post-graduate period. The relevant university has not withdrawn its findings and the offense is not altered by the passage of time.
Her ubiquity among the elites operating in geopolitics must have a price tag. In considering her as a valid candidate (even her validity in her party bloc) there needs to be a full audit of expenditure to compare with former holders of the post.
Further, many of her appearances and speeches have been of a "sovereign entity" nature. No department of the EU has sovereign status and it is expressly forbidden by the Treaties of Rome.

In choosing a president of the EU Commission, elected MEPs and the public at large, must be clear about what the job entails in reality and the mechanisms whereby the incumbent may not issue Directives without a full and open vote in the European Parliament. To announce a proposal prior to ensuring backing is frequently an empty (and often immoderate) threat. There is no place for this in the EU.
Of candidates presenting at this writing, Mt Draghi appears to have the cleanest and calmest record. He is a stickler for rules and protocol and has both the verified academic credentials for the post as well as appropriate levels achievements in his country.
As a Mediterranean person of experience and requisite achievements he stands out given that the post is for 5 years duration and any thoughts of "another term" are not relevant to this matter as some other posts are.

[kristianhorslund]

Let´s hope it is the end for her. She needs to answer for multiple scandals, Pfizergate, and the court case lying about in Liege, Belgium for the misuse of money back when she was the German defense minister.

[louisemann]

Ursula always acts in the interest of the United States.

[ScroogePercenter]

Ursula was bad in her job in Germany worse in her job in the EU!

[GrAlien]

If they cant agree they should let us vote. Actually, they should let us vote anyway.