Faces are locked on positions in Europe – which portfolio does Greece want? Mitsotakis is in Brussels tonight

Today, Kyriakos Mitsotakis heads to Brussels to attend the informal summit, where the top European positions for the next five years will be decided.

At the Leaders’ Dinner in the evening, proposals for the Presidency of the Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament and the High Representative for Foreign Policy will be discussed. European sources estimate that the process will not witness severe conflicts, as the negotiations that took place behind the scenes in the previous days bore fruit and closed the door on the people who will hold crucial positions.

Von der Leyen is running for a second term

Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Donald Tusk assume the role of negotiator on behalf of the European People’s Party, and they are the two leaders who will present the proposals of the largest European party, which has managed to maintain its powers and has the first say in the discussion. After overcoming any objections from Germany and France, Ursula von der Leyen, according to sources in Brussels, obtained a second term as President of the Commission. Roberta Mitsola, whom Mr. Mitsotakis met at the weekend in Switzerland, will renew her term as President of the European Parliament. These are the two positions that the European People’s Party sought from the beginning for higher institutions, while the position of President of the European Council goes from Charles Michel to the Bloc of Social Democrats and former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa. Estonia’s Prime Minister, Kaya Kallas, is expected to take over the position of High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

The defeat of Solz and Macron in the European elections

There are few details left at tonight’s dinner, according to officials in Brussels, as it is not yet clear whether Costa’s term will be for two years and there will be rotation in his position for the rest of the time, or whether he will retain it. The position is for a full period of five years. However, this is not something that can stimulate discussions among leaders. The results of June 9 weakened the Social Democrats electorally, after the heavy defeat in Germany against Olaf Schulz, while the collapse of Macron’s party in France also led to a reduction in the powers of the French president, who will sit at the negotiating table by a much smaller margin. Stronger than it was five years ago. The EPP has the “upper hand” in the whole deal, and is “benefiting” by securing the positions it wanted from the beginning.

It is expected that the decisions will be ratified at the summit on June 27 and 28, and then presented to the European Parliament on July 17 and 19 by voting on them in Strasbourg. Despite the rise of far-right and conservative parties in Europe, the European People’s Party, the Social Democrats and the Liberals have the necessary majority to approve Council decisions. Immediately after the election of Ursula von der Leyen, the process of appointing the 27 commissioners will begin. For now, she has kept her papers secret, and only after July will there be a clear picture of the content of some ministerial portfolios, such as the defense file, which has been decided. For the first time, and later the Ministry of Defense file. People.

Mitsotakis: Greece will follow a “good portfolio”

Mr Mitsotakis said Greece would seek a “good portfolio” and may compete as one of the negotiators on behalf of the European People’s Party, which secured Ms von der Leyen’s nomination and the New Republic’s strong presence within the European centre-right. The positions discussed in the background relate to either agricultural policy or expansion, but the landscape has not yet been clarified. According to the file, the selection of the Greek commissioner will be made by Mr. Mitsotakis, he stated, describing the discussion as early. But recently, the name of Macedonia’s Regional Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, and Labor Minister Nikis Kerameos were discussed. A renewal of the term of Margaritis Schina, who has very good relations with Ms. von der Leyen, is also not ruled out.