Dutch politician, Frans Timmermans, came close to being chosen as the European Commission’s president but was blocked by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia and Italy. But, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen won the surprise nomination and is tipped to become the next European Commission President replacing Jean-Claude Juncker. The BBC’s Europe Editor Katya Adler has claimed the allocation of the top jobs is a blow to both the French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel.
She told BBC’s Brexitcast: “That Franco-German motor that France and Germany make all the decisions. Adam pointed out they are both winners with the allocation of jobs, which they are, but not necessarily in their first choices.
“I think what this tells you is France and Germany are, of course, both very powerful in EU circles, but they are no longer all powerful.
“Angela Merkel has got one for out of the political door. Emmanuel Macron is not as influential inside the EU as he wanted to be.
“You have other players really getting their voices heard, and in this case, it was the eastern European countries.
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“I agree, they didn’t get one of the top jobs, but they absolutely scuppered Frans Timmermans chances of becoming European Commission President because he has come down so hard on the rule of law. For them that was a victory and they were celebrating that victory.”
It comes after the European Union were accused of “backroom deals” as Germany’s defence minister Mrs Von der Leyen was nominated to become the next European Commission President.
She will become the next European Commission President if the European Parliament approves her appointment.
Martin Schulz, former EU parliamentary president and Merkel rival, was enraged by the decision.
He tweeted: “Von der Leyen is our weakest minister. That’s apparently enough to become Commission president.”
Speaking in Strasbourg in her maiden speech on Thursday, she said: “Thank you President. It’s a great honour to speak on behalf of the largest single party in this place.
“May I say, if I needed any convincing at all that the best thing for Britain is to leave here as soon as possible, it was the way those elections were conducted yesterday.
“If that is this places idea of democracy, then that is a serious betrayal of every country that is represented here because it is not democratic at all.
“That is just one of many reasons why Britain is right to be leaving this place, hopefully on Halloween.”