Prime Minister Luis Montenegro today expressed his belief that European Union leaders’ decision to appoint António Costa as President of the European Council is “well underway”, downplaying criticism from Italy.
“I hope that the work of this Council [Europeu] not end without this decision, perhaps this is our desire today, but […] By the way, in order not to create excessive expectations, the work of the Council will take place today and tomorrow. [sexta-feira]”, said the head of the Portuguese government in Brussels.
Speaking on arrival at the two-day European summit, marked by a debate on the main positions of the EU in the next institutional cycle, Luis Montenegro emphasized: “No later than tomorrow.” [sexta-feira]It is expected that a decision will be made, and this decision – of this I am convinced – is currently on the way to being in line with the intentions of the Portuguese government.”
Referring to a “convergence that is known and public”, given the preliminary agreement reached two days ago between political family negotiators in the European Council, the Prime Minister played down criticism leveled at the package by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: given that the person responsible the person will “take advantage of the meeting” […] defend their point of view,” but leaders will try to “bring positions closer together” with the goal of “convergence.”
Heads of government and EU states will today decide whether to approve the appointment of former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa as President of the European Council as part of a package of senior European posts until 2029.
Meeting in Brussels this Thursday, the leaders of the 27 countries will discuss the leadership positions of the EU institutions in the next institutional cycle (2024-2029) after the European elections, with preliminary political support already in place among the centre-right, Socialists and Liberals appointed Antonio Costa to lead the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen for a second term on the European Commission, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as head of public diplomacy.
It is because the main political families have already received this preliminary green light, received on Tuesday, that European sources interviewed by Lusa speak of “consensus” and discussions that should be “quick and easy” in the final vote, which must now be adopted by a qualified majority (rather than unanimously) of heads of government and EU states in the European Council.
In the case of Costa (Socialist), the treaties specify that the President of the European Council is elected for an initial period of two and a half years, with the mandate being renewable or not, with that time frame being on the table.
In the case of von der Leyen (centre-right) and Kallas (liberal), five-year terms are at stake.
Despite the consensus on these three names, Prime Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni and Hungary Viktor Orbán have already shown that they are against the top jobs package, so bilateral meetings will be held today to try to convince them, although its approval is not mandatory as it is carried out by qualified by majority vote.
Despite his resignation following a judicial investigation, former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa could succeed Belgium’s Charles Michel (since 2019) as head of the European Council, the EU institution that brings together the bloc’s heads of government and states. made by leaders who make decisions by qualified majority (55% of the 27 member states, representing 65% of the total population).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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