Politico: Klaus Iohannis has a chance to become the head of the European Commission

Although the current president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, remains the favorite to obtain a new mandate at the head of the European government, her position is no longer as secure as in the past, writes Politico, which lists a number of possible replacements for her – including the president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis. Iohannis is seen as a possible candidate with chances given that he is “appreciated” by European leaders, especially conservative ones, and Romania had “exemplary” behavior in the region during the war in Ukraine and the crises caused by it.

Klaus Iohannis is the fourth name on Politico’s list, rated with a 1 in 5 chance of succeeding Ursula von der Leyen.

The President of Romania is seen as an exponent of stability and a “favorite” of European leaders, especially the conservative ones – both President Macron and Chancellor Scholz have long praised him for keeping his country firmly anchored in the pro camp -European and pro-Western, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – something that cannot be said about Hungary, Slovakia or Bulgaria, writes Politico.

In addition, the publication argues, unlike Poland, Romania strictly followed the rules of the European common market and did not choose to impose unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian grains, a fact that strengthened Iohannis’ reputation as a “team player” pro- European.

In addition to all this, there would be the regional argument – ​​many argue that the time has come for an Eastern European leader to lead the European Union. Iohannis, a German speaker, would also be well positioned from this point of view and comes from the same political family as Ursula von der Leyen.

The EPP’s decision to organize its congress in Bucharest also shows the favorable position of European leaders towards Iohannis and Romania, writes Politico.

The counter argument offered by Politico is that Iohannis would have irritated some European countries with the announcement of his “candidacy” for NATO.

The other names on the list of possible successors to the leadership of the Commission

Mario Draghi

Mario Draghi, a 76-year-old veteran of Italian and European politics, led a broad coalition in Italy until it disintegrated in 2022. His name frequently comes up as a possible candidate when important international leadership roles are vacant .

So far, the former Italian prime minister and former head of the European Central Bank has been suggested as a possible replacement for Charles Michel when he ends his term as head of the European Council.

Draghi is already back in the middle of the European decision-making process, working on an official EU plan to make the European bloc more competitive, to deliver this plan after the European Parliament elections, when European leaders will begin negotiations for the leadership of the institutions.

Draghi is also seen as close to Emmanuel Macron. Draghi is, however, seen as having no clear political affiliation and the EPP is unlikely to give up the position in favor of an independent with no direct political loyalties.

Roberta Metsola

It is unlikely that the EPP will give up the leadership of the European Commission in this mandate. If, however, Ursula von der Leyen fails to get the necessary support, other top leaders in the leadership of the European formation could enter the ascendancy.

The current head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has managed to stay in a good position, avoiding political conflicts and establishing herself as a leader in the field of foreign policy. Metsola was the first EU leader to visit Kiev during the Russian invasion.

Originally from Malta, Metsola could be a preferable choice also for the fact that it comes from southern Europe. The same argument could work against them, however, given that Malta is a small country both in terms of territory and population, and Metsola has no executive experience, neither in Europe nor at home.

Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde could be an option given that she is French and that Macron wants a key position to be held by someone from France after years of Germans and Austrians heading the commission, Politico writes.

However, Lagarde is unlikely to be interested in leaving the European Central Bank, and France may be interested in keeping her for a ministerial post at home rather than backing her for a career at the top of the Commission.

Andrej Plenkovic

The Croatian Prime Minister comes from the ranks of the EPP, in turn, and as in the case of President Iohannis, his appointment would calm spirits in Eastern Europe regarding the appointment of a leader from the region at the top of the European institutions.

The election of a Croatian leader would also send a positive signal to countries aspiring to membership, with Croatia being the bloc’s newest member.

The Croatian leader’s surprise announcement that he will lead the list of MEPs in the June elections signaled that he plans to abandon domestic politics and rebrand himself in Europe. Plenkovic denied, however, that he had any intention of replacing Ursula von der Leyen.

Thierry Breton

Thierry Breton, the current European commissioner for the internal market, is another French option for the head of the Commission and has indicated that he would be interested in becoming “plan B”, the alternative to Von der Leyen, should she no longer have the necessary support .

As a former French finance minister, Breton has executive experience and even though he is not part of the EPP, he is a conservative.

Breton is also the biggest critic of Ursula von der Leyen at the domestic level in Brussels. He is the one who made public the fact that after her nomination as a candidate, Von der Leyen still does not have unanimous support within the EPP for a new mandate.

However, Breton has more enemies than friends at the top of European circles, including within the Commission and among European countries. Many question his experience and speak of him as a career politician who first talks and then acts.

Editor: Adrian Dumitru

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