Nomination process for new heads of EU institutions in 2019
The European Council plays a big part in appointing high-profile EU-level roles. On 2 July 2019, it elected the European Council President, proposed a candidate for the President of the European Commission, a candidate for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a candidate for President of the European Central Bank.
President of the European Council
According to the Treaties (article 15(5)), the European Council elects its president by a qualified majority. The president holds the post for a two-and-a-half year term, renewable once.
On 2 July 2019, EU leaders elected Charles Michel as President of the European Council. He took office on 1 December 2019.
President of the European Commission
The procedure for nominating the President of the Commission for the next five years, is laid down in the Treaty on European Union (article 17(7)).
"Taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. If he does not obtain the required majority, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall within one month propose a new candidate who shall be elected by the European Parliament following the same procedure." Treaty on European Union, article 17(7).
Furthermore, declaration 11 to the Treaty notes that "the European Parliament and the European Council are jointly responsible for the smooth running of the process leading to the election of the President of the European Commission. Prior to the decision of the European Council, representatives of the European Parliament and of the European Council will thus conduct the necessary consultations in the framework deemed the most appropriate."
On 2 July 2019, the European Council adopted the decision proposing Ursula von der Leyen to the European Parliament as candidate for President of the European Commission. The proposed candidate was elected by the European Parliament on 16 July 2019.
On 10 September 2019, the Council, by common accord with President-elect Ursula von der Leyen, adopted the list of persons whom it proposes for appointment as members of the Commission until 31 October 2024. They had been selected on the basis of the suggestions made by the member states.
On 25 November 2019, the Council, by common accord with President-elect Ursula von der Leyen, adopted a new list of persons whom it proposed for appointment as members of the Commission until 31 October 2024.
On 27 November 2019 the European Parliament voted to approve Von der Leyen's Commission. On 28 November, the European Council appointed by written procedure the new Commission for the period from 1 December 2019 to 31 October 2024.
Election of the European Commission President (infographic)
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The European Council also appoints by qualified majority, and with the agreement of the President of the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (article 18(1)). The High Representative, appointed for five years, is also 'double-hatted' as Vice-President of the European Commission and chairs the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The High Representative is assisted by the European External Action Service (EEAS).
On 2 July 2019, the European Council considered Josep Borrell Fontelles to be the appropriate candidate for High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. On 26 July, the President-elect of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, agreed to appoint Josep Borrell Fontelles as the High Representative.
Afterwards, on 6 August, the European Council formally appointed Josep Borrell Fontelles as the High Representative.
On 27 November 2019 the European Parliament voted to approve Von der Leyen's Commission as a body, with Josep Borrell Fontelles as the High Representative and a Commission vice president. On 28 November, the European Council appointed by written procedure the new Commission for the period from 1 December 2019 to 31 October 2024.
President of the European Central Bank
The European Council appoints the ECB President for a period of eight years. It takes its (final) decision on the basis of a Council recommendation. It also consults the European Parliament and the ECB's Governing Council (composed of the 6 members of the Executive Board, plus the governors of the central banks of the 19 euro area countries). The European Council then takes its decision through a qualified majority vote. This procedure is set out in article 283 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU).
On 2 July 2019, the European Council considered Christine Lagarde to be the appropriate candidate for the President of the European Central Bank. The Council (Economic and Financial Affairs) then issued a formal recommendation on 9 July 2019. The European Parliament and the European Central Bank delivered their opinions to the European Council, respectively on 17 September 2019 and on 25 July 2019.
On 18 October 2019, the European Council appointed Christine Lagarde to be the President of the European Central Bank for a non-renewable term of 8 years. She took office on 1 November 2019.
Appointment of the ECB Executive Board (infographic)
Respect for geographical, demographic and gender diversity
Declaration 6 to the Treaty makes it clear that "in choosing the persons called upon to hold the offices of President of the European Council, President of the Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, due account is to be taken of the need to respect the geographical and demographic diversity of the Union and its member states." There are also more general Treaty provisions on the need to ensure gender balance.
At an informal meeting of EU heads of state or government on 23 February 2018 EU leaders discussed high-level appointments, including the 'Spitzenkandidaten' process. At the press conference after the summit President Donald Tusk said that there was agreement among leaders that the European Council could not guarantee in advance that it would propose one of the lead candidates for President of the European Commission. Leaders agreed that this process could not be automatic in any way. The Treaty is very clear that it is the autonomous competence of the European Council to nominate the candidate, while taking into account the European elections, and having held appropriate consultations.