EU: Czech PM-EU Nominations Need To Respect Political & Geographic Interests

There is widespread focus on the power struggle within the European Council regarding who should take on the presidencies of the EU's political institutions following the European Parliament elections.  Amid this Czech PM Petr Fiala, whose Civic Democratic Party (ODS) sits in the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group has posted on X: "The rules are clear, nominations for the top jobs in European institutions must respect political and geographical interests. The Czech Republic is at the centre of Europe - our future portfolio must reflect this."

• The ECR, which is also home to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy, could  become the third-largest group if it can draw in five non-aligned MEPs to lift its seat total to 81. This would overtake the liberal Renew Europe group, home to French President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance, currently on 80 seats. 
• Fiala's comments could hint at the ECR looking to exert more influence in the decision-making process, as well as seeking a prominent commissioner role for Czechia. 
• The Commission president election process sees EU leaders nominate a candidate, who then faces a vote among MEPs. With a narrower majority for the three 'moderate' groups compared to pre-election, and the strong possibilty of some parties within the groups refusing to back Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the support of the ECR could prove crucial to her re-election prospects.