EU leaders have nominated the German Defence Minister Ursula Von Der Leyen to be the next European Commission President.
After days of negotiations, leaders also elected the Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel as the President of the European Council, succeeding Donald Tusk.
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) July 2, 2019
The European Parliament must now vote on whether to accept Ms Von Der Leyen as the next commission president.
She will need to the approval of an absolute majority of the Parliament’s 751 members to take the position.
If she gets it she will become the first woman to take up the role.
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) July 2, 2019
The council also agreed on their nominations for a number of other key positions.
Former IMF head Christine Lagarde is set to become the next President of the European Central Bank (ECB).
Meanwhile, Josep Borrell Fontelles was nominated as the leaders’ candidate for High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Speaking after the meeting this evening, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar welcomed the nominations.
“I think it is going to be good for Europe over the next five years to have that leadership,” he said.
“I am particularly pleased that we have two women in very senior roles.
“For the first time, a female President of the European Commission and also a female President of the European Central Bank.
“I think that sends a message once again that Europe is leading on gender equality ahead of other parts of the world.”
Mr Michel is the only one of the names who has officially been elected - with members of the Commission requiring the approval of the European Parliament.
A formal decision on Ms Lagarde's appointment as ECB President will be made following further talks with the parliament and the ECB Governing Council.
