MNI BRIEF: EU Leaders Back Von Der Leyen For 2nd EC Term
EU leaders agreed to give Ursula von der Leyen a second term as head of the EU Commission in talks Thursday.
The leaders also agreed to name Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to the role of High Representative for External Relations, subject to von der Leyen's approval, and Portugal's Antonio Costa to take over from Charles Michel as president of the European Council when he steps down in November.
Italian government sources told MNI earlier this week that Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni had dropped her opposition to von der Leyen's reappointment, clearing the way for her to continue. Meloni abstained in the final vote on von der Leyen. (see MNI: Meloni To Back Von Der Leyen In EU Commission Deal-Source)
Von der Leyen now faces a vote of approval from the EU Parliament, which is most likely to be held July 18-19 during its next plenary session.