17 June 2024

EU leaders meet in Brussels to divvy up top jobs. These are the frontrun...

   








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Key trends from the European Parliament Elections 2024

Despite the conflict in Europe, economic challenges, global trade tensions, and farmer protests, the 2024 election saw the centre retain control in the European Parliament.

The first task for the new EU assembly and its MEPs would be to approve the next president of the European Commission, which is the EU’s executive body. The incumbent von der Leyen from the EPP remains the top choice and is likely to secure a second term in office. 

Despite earlier rumours of French support for former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi at the helm of EU affairs, Macron’s crushing defeat in the European election and his focus on the forthcoming domestic snap election means he is unlikely to play his usual disruptive role, paving the way for von der Leyen’s second term. 

However, she still needs the support of at least 361 MEPs, which on the surface appears easy to gain given that the centre currently holds over 400 seats. 
  • However, some of these MEPs (at least 10%) are likely to defect from their groups, due to which von der Leyen may need the support of other groups to secure the numbers, including potentially the far-right. 



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