EU Top Positions: Agreement Hinges on a Pledge for Limiting Migration (Weber's View)
EU heads are set to make key decisions in the upcoming week, including potentially extending Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's term (CDU). However, a decision was pushed back due to a lack of agreement at a recent summit.
The main condition for any EU summit agreement is that the upcoming leaders must align with the "red lines of the EPP" (European People's Party), as stated by Weber (CSU). This means a clear commitment to combat illegal immigration, strengthen EU external border protection, cooperate with origin countries, and establish a new Mediterranean pact with neighboring EU countries. Weber emphasized the importance of stopping and returning illegal migrants at the external border.
In addition to Commission President decisions, the upcoming week will also determine who will be the President of the Council. The popular choice is the former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa. However, there are concerns within the conservative EPP that Costa, a Social Democrat, may oppose the EU asylum compromise, which includes tougher asylum regulations. The Alliance of Social Democrats finished as the second strongest force in the June 9th European Parliament election.
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