Von der Leyen honored to share top EU appointment with Costa and Callas

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday after being appointed for a second term that she was “honoured and delighted” to share the top posts in the European Union with António Costa and Kaja Kallas.

“I am honoured and delighted to share this special moment with António Costa as President of the European Council and Kaja Kallas as Vice-President of the incoming Commission” and Head of Diplomacy of the European Union (EU).

Von der Leyen said that after presenting policy directions for the next five years, she would “ask for confirmation in the European Parliament” of her appointment.

Socialist António Costa was elected this Thursday by the EU heads of state and government as President of the European Council for a term of two and a half years starting December 1, 2024, it was announced in Brussels.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels, at which EU leaders also proposed the name of Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as head of the European Commission, which, however, depends on the final approval of the European Parliament and appointed Prime Minister of Estonia Kaia Kallas as the High Representative of the EU on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, subject to election by Members of the European Parliament from the entire College of Commissioners.

Following his resignation following a judicial investigation, former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has been chosen to succeed Belgian Charles Michel (in office since 2019) at the helm of the European Council, the EU institution that brings together the heads of government and state of the European bloc, with appointments made by qualified majority (55% of the 27 member states, representing 65% of the total population).

António Costa is the first Portuguese and first socialist to head the European Council.