She has been the Commission’s most high-profile president for decades and has led the EU through a pandemic, an energy crisis and the continent’s bloodiest war since World War II. Now most things say that her mandate will be renewed after this weekend’s EU elections. But if it won’t be Ursula von der Leyen, who can it be?
It is said that she was in Sweden this week to talk about forests, but the trip to Sweden was about something much more important for the EU’s most powerful woman: Securing Ulf Kristersson’s continued support for a new term after the European Parliament elections.
It is still most likely that Ursula von der Leyen will continue in the post as head of the Commission. However, she can no longer take her Brussels throne for granted. Parliament will look very different on 10 June compared to today. Being re-elected will require exceptionally good negotiating acrobatics and in the EU reeds around her several pike are lurking.
Let’s look at a few:
NICOLAS SCHMIT – the non-challenger
The 70-year-old Social Democrat could be von der Leyen’s real challenger. He is Magdalena Andersson and the candidate of the European Social Democrats, but the practice is that the position of chairman is appointed by the largest party group. And it doesn’t look like it will be the Social Democrats.
European Social Democrats’ candidate for commission chairman Nicolas Schmit during a press conference in Sweden in May
European Social Democrats’ candidate for commission chairman Nicolas Schmit during a press conference in Sweden in May
Photo: Lars Schröder / TT (Archive)
MARIO DRAGHI – the savior of the euro
“Super Mario” as his supporters like to call him, really made himself known to the European public when in 2012, as head of the European Central Bank, he practically became the one who saved the euro with his Whatever it takes speech. Since then, he has, among other things, been Italy’s prime minister and was highlighted in the spring as French President Emmanuel Macron’s dream choice for the post.
Mario Draghi, former Prime Minister of Italy
Mario Draghi, former Prime Minister of Italy
Photo: Josh Reynolds for MIT Golub Center for Finance and Policy (Archive)
ROBERTA METSOLA – the apprentice
Just like Ursula von der Leyen, the Maltese abortion skeptic Roberta Metsola belongs to the EPP party group which is most likely to appoint the next president. She is today the speaker of the parliament, and should von der Leyen have trouble gathering support, Metsola can sail up as an alternative.
President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola
President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola
Photo: AP Photo/Omar Havana (File)
KLAUS IOHANNIS – the job seeker
Romania’s president may be relatively unknown in Sweden, but in European conservative circles he is loved. Unlike his colleagues in Hungary and Slovakia, Iohannis has stood firm on a pro-European line following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. When the EPP held its congress last spring where von der Leyen was officially named the party group’s candidate, it was done in Bucharest, according to experts a sign of Iohannis.
President of Romania Klaus Iohannis
President of Romania Klaus Iohannis
Photo: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
CARL BILDT – the unlikely high-oddsman
It is probably more likely that we get a Swedish pope and that the national team qualifies for a championship again. Because no, perhaps Sweden’s greatest friend of the EU, Eurobonus king and European, will not become chairman of the commission.
Photo: Christine Olsson / TT (Archive)