Von der Leyen’s charm offensive ahead of secret, knife-edge vote on her future
Secret ballot poses extra challenge as European Commission president seeks a second term.
Spitzenkandidaten
Liberals search top job for Strack-Zimmermann, defence chair a possibility
As negotiations on the EU parliament’s top jobs are due to heat up next week, the Liberals’ main lead candidate, German Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, has yet to find an office, her preferred post – chairing a new defence committee – is highly conteste…
Ukraine-Angriff auf Russland auch mit westlichen Waffen?
Das Briefing dazu, wie sich Entscheidungen in Brüssel auf Sie auswirken. Mit dem Wissen des größten Newsrooms der europäischen Hauptstadt. Im Browser anzeigen oder hier anhören von JÜRGEN KLÖCKNER mit JULIUS BRINKMANN und LAURA HÜLSEMANN DIE TOP-THEMEN — Russiagate weitet sich aus: Ermittler stürmten heute Büros im Europäischen Parlament. Unter Verdacht steht ein früherer Mitarbeiter […]
Macron auf Konfrontationskurs
Das Briefing dazu, wie sich Entscheidungen in Brüssel auf Sie auswirken. Mit dem Wissen des größten Newsrooms der europäischen Hauptstadt. Im Browser anzeigen oder hier anhören von JÜRGEN KLÖCKNER Mit LAURA HÜLSEMANN und JULIUS BRINKMANN DIE TOP-THEMEN — Agent Provocateur: Frankreichs Präsident kommt mit zwei — aus hiesiger Sicht — ungemütlichen Themen nach Deutschland. Es […]
Neue EU-Strategie für Verteidigung
DIE TOP-THEMEN — Strategie für die kommenden fünf Jahre: Wie die EU-Chefs die gemeinsame Verteidigung ausbauen wollen, geht aus einem noch unveröffentlichten Entwurf der Strategieagenda hervor. POLITICO kennt die Details. — Rechtsaußen-Fraktion wirft AfD raus: Der Skandal um ihren Spitzenkandidaten Maximilian Krah kostet die Partei ihre Sitze in der ID-Fraktion. Der AfD gehen damit voraussichtlich […]
Der 5G-Showdown im Kanzleramt
Mit einem Spitzentreffen will der Kanzler heute ein Thema lösen, das so leidig wie sicherheitspolitisch brisant ist: wie umgehen mit chinesischen Komponenten bei deutschen 5G-Ausbau? Seit Monaten schiebt die Bundesregierung eine Entscheidung vor sich her. Wie die Lösung aussehen könnte, warum sie aber sowohl die europäischen Partner als auch die Mobilfunkanbieter mit Stirnrunzeln zurücklassen wird, […]
Palästina-eklat in Europa
Das Briefing dazu, wie sich Entscheidungen in Brüssel auf Sie auswirken. Mit dem Wissen des größten Newsrooms der europäischen Hauptstadt. Im Browser anzeigen oder hier anhören von JÜRGEN KLÖCKNER Mit JULIUS BRINKMANN und LAURA HÜLSEMANN DIE TOP-THEMEN — Eklat in Europa: Drei Länder haben Palästina als Staat anerkannt. Israel rief darauf die Botschafter in Irland […]
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, ALDE’s unconventional candidate
Controversial and popular in Germany, but relatively unknown in Brussels, Marie Agnes Strack Zimmermann nomination to lead candidate of the liberal party ALDE has taken most by surprise.
EU election debate exposes weakness of lead candidate system
The first debate for the upcoming European election exposed the weakness of the lead candidate system, with low viewing figures and low-profile candidates casting a shadow on the process, experts said.
Ursula von der Leyen is her own worst political enemy
Ricardo Borges de Castro makes the case that the European election is von der Leyen’s to lose, ahead of Monday’s (29 April) Spitzenkandidaten debate
ECR adopts manifesto but snubs lead candidate pick amid rifts
After delays, the hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) party approved their manifesto for June’s EU elections on Tuesday (23 April), but failed to agree on a Spitzenkandidat amid emerging internal splits.
Life after Ursula von der Leyen? Alternatives for next Commission president.
Brussels is rife with speculation on who might be chosen as the EU executive’s next chief.
Ursula von der Leyen can run, but can she also hide? | Paul Taylor
The European Commission president is running for re-election. Yet a political cronyism scandal is dogging her pathUrsula von der Leyen became president of the European Commission in a backroom deal in 2019 without facing Europe’s voters. Now she is run…
Spitzenkandidaten: Democratic fix or political charade?
The 2024 elections to the European Parliament promise to give the Spitzenkandidaten system a new chance. But can the grand project survive its inherent shortcomings and contradictions?
Spitzenkandidaten and the upcoming EU elections [Advocacy Lab Content]
On 20 March, at the ALDE Party Extraordinary Congress Brussels 2024, ALDE announced their chosen spitzenkandidat, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who will be the new face of their party. This report looks at ALDE’s position and prospects in the EU’s pol…
The Outsiders, Maylis Roßberg and Raül Romeva – EFA’s Spitzenkandidaten [Advocacy Lab Content]
At the European Free Alliance (EFA) General Assembly, the party’s two Spitzenkandidaten, Maylis Roßberg and Raül Romeva, sat down with Euractiv’s Jennifer Baker to discuss their brand of politics and the 2024 campaign.
Renew’s chief Valérie Hayer confirmed as EU liberals’ lead candidate
French President Emmanuel Macron’s closest ally in Brussels, Valérie Hayer, has been confirmed as the third Spitzenkandidat of a Franco-German team that will guide the EU liberals throughout the campaign for June’s EU elections.
Women’s rights and gender equality in the EU [Advocacy Lab Content]
On International Women’s Day, the European Commission released its 2024 Report on Gender Equality in the EU, offering insights into the advancements made in implementing the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025. This report looks at women’s rights and ge…
Diversity and representation centre-stage at European Free Alliance assembly
Heralding a manifesto steeped in diversity and regional representation, the European Free Alliance (EFA) General Assembly 2024, held on International Women’s Day in Brussels was presented by co-spitzenkandidaten, Maylis Roßberg, and Raül Romeva.
Far-right picks Danish MEP as token ‘lead candidate’
Europe’s far right has chosen a Danish MEP who believes Muslims are rapists to speak in a showcase ‘Spitzenkandidaten’ pre-EU election debate next month — but stressed he is not their lead candidate.
European Left elects Walter Baier as lead candidate, wants working class to drive green fight
The European Left party elected its President Walter Baier as their lead candidate for the EU elections in June during the general assembly on Saturday (24 February), as advanced by Euractiv in January, while also vouching to bring working classes at t…
Von der Leyen’s a ‘fake’ lead candidate, says ex-EU Parliament chief
Allowing von der Leyen to become Commission president without her being a Spitzenkandidat was “a mistake,” said Martin Schulz.
Greens play it safe with lead candidate picks amid gloomy polls
The European Green Party (EGP) has elected heavyweights German Terry Reintke and Dutch Bas Eickhout as their EU elections lead candidates. A push to include southern and eastern candidates in the leadership failed during the party’s electoral congress…
European Left to pick no-name lead candidate amidst lack of appetite for role
Lack of enthusiasm among national members of the European Left is driving the party to pick a widely unknown politician for its lead candidate in EU elections, echoing a general lack of appetite for the contested Spitzenkandidaten system.
Pressure grows on Ursula von der Leyen to announce run for second term
Ambassadors peppered the EU executive chief with questions about her plans at a recent lunch.
How to make the Spitzenkandidaten process work
The lack of a legal underpinning for the ‘Spitzenkandidaten process’ allowed the European Council in 2019 to ignore the successful 2014 precedent. The next European Parliament election in June might possibly be able to mend this shortcoming, writes Dic…
Western democracies face crisis of confidence ahead of big votes, poll shows
Ipsos survey shows growing dissatisfaction with how democracy is working, including in the EU.
EU Parliament seeks a say in selecting Commission president after elections
The European Parliament wants to be engaged in negotiations with national leaders in choosing the European Commission president after EU elections, according to a draft report the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) voted on Wednesday (25 October).