EU leaders agree on top jobs for next institutional cycle

EU leaders have agreed on appointments and nominations for the EU’s top jobs and adopted the strategic agenda for 2024-2029, a policy plan that steers the EU’s future direction and goals.

They also adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, security and defence, competitiveness, migration, the Black Sea, Moldova, Georgia, hybrid threats, the fight against antisemitism, racism and xenophobia and a roadmap on internal reforms.

EU top jobs appointments

The leaders decided on three top jobs for the upcoming institutional cycle. In line with the European Council’s role as set out in the Treaty on European Union, the leaders:

• elected António Costa as President of the European Council
• proposed Ursula von der Leyen as candidate for President of the European Commission
• considered Kaja Kallas to be the appropriate candidate for High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Next, the proposed candidate for President of the European Commission will need to be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. The formal appointment of the high representative requires the agreement of the president-elect of the European Commission.

The Commission president, the high representative and the other Commissioners will, as a body, be subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament before their formal appointment by the European Council.

More information: European Council