Aftermath of the European Parliament elections 2024

Summary:

Compilation of information resources focusing on the aftermath of the tenth elections for the European Parliament, held in June 2024. It seeks to provide an overview of the consequences of a new parliamentary configuration, including in the discussions on the appointments for the so-called European Union's (EU) top jobs.

Further information:

The elections produced a shift to the right in the European Parliament, with many centre-right and far-right parties improving on the previous parliamentary term. The immediate aftermath of the polls are characterised by negotiations between the EP's political groups and political parties that either may change their group membership or were elected for the first time. The polls led to an increase of non-aligned and newcomers in the chamber, which may or may not integrate political groups. Media outlets focused on the discussions held within the far-right to capitalise on the electoral gains achieved in the elections.

Parallel discussions are held among national leaders within the European Council to distribute the leading jobs in the main EU institutions, taking into account the new balance of power within the European Parliament. Media outlets reported on a early, apparent consensus that comprised a second term for Ursula von der Leyen (EPP) as President of the European Commission, former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa (S&D) for the presidency of the European Council and a figure from the centrist Renew Europe as the EU's new High-Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, such as Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

These names continued to be highlighted in different media spheres despite the lack of agreement following an informal meeting of heads of state and government on 17 June. Analysts pointed to the exclusion of the far-right ECR group - led by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni - from the proposed package. Even so, media outlets confirmed on 25 June that an agreement amongst leaders had be found on the names for the EU top jobs for the upcoming term.

The decision was formally announced following a meeting of the European Council on 27 June. António Costa was elected for a mandate of 2.5 years starting in December 2024, whereas Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas were put forward as the candidates, respectively, for the presidency of the European Commission and as the EU's top diplomat. The latter names would still require endorsement by the plenary of the European Parliament. The European Council also adopted the EU's Strategic Agenda for the period 2024-2029, which provides the political orientations for the forthcoming parliamentary term.

Commentary and Analysis

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): At a Glance, 25/04/2024: Timeline to new EU institutional leadership https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2024)762293

The Guardian: Commentary, 10/06/2024: EU elections: earthquake in France and a rightward policy lurch? Our panel responds https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jun/10/eu-elections-france-right-emmanuel-macron-germany

The Guardian: Analysis, 10/06/2024: European elections: Paris and Berlin - not Brussels – will feel heat of far right’s gains https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/10/european-elections-main-impact-likely-to-be-felt-in-national-capitals

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): In Brief, 10/06/2024: How Will the EU Elections Results Change Europe? https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/how-will-eu-elections-results-change-europe

The Conversation, 10/06/2024: EU parliament election sees shaken centre hold – but far right now has chances to show its strength https://theconversation.com/eu-parliament-election-sees-shaken-centre-hold-but-far-right-now-has-chances-to-show-its-strength-231835

Sky News: Opinion, 10/06/2024: Could this be Europe's 'Trump moment'? Why EU vote matters for UK https://news.sky.com/story/adam-boulton-european-parliament-elections-why-battle-between-eus-big-guns-matters-for-the-uk-13149005

The Conversation, 10/06/2024: 2024 European elections: Who are young Europeans voting for? https://theconversation.com/2024-european-elections-who-are-young-europeans-voting-for-232058

Centre for European Reform (CER): Insight, 11/06/2024: What will the EU election results mean for Europe? https://www.cer.eu/insights/what-will-eu-election-results-mean-europe

Project Syndicate: Commentary, 11/06/2024: The Real Winners of the European Election https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/european-election-tusk-von-der-leyen-biggest-winners-far-right-gains-less-than-feared-by-slawomir-sierakowski-2024-06

The Atlantic, 11/06/2024: Trump Is Not America’s Le Pen https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/06/european-union-2024-parliamentary-election/678654/

Associated Press (AP News), 11/06/2024: Europe’s far right won ground in the EU elections. Can they unite to wield power? https://apnews.com/article/european-parliament-election-far-right-b9339cf1a7d2067bf6fa1941c166936d

Forbes Magazine, 13/06/2024: European Parliamentary Elections Won’t Change Strains In China Ties https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2024/06/13/european-parliamentary-elections-wont-change-strains-in-china-ties/

German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS): Insights, 13/06/2024: Polish PM Donald Tusk Emboldened by European Election Victory https://www.gmfus.org/news/polish-pm-donald-tusk-emboldened-european-election-victory

Politico: Commentary, 13/06/2024: EU election: Not enough will change — and that’s the real problem https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-election-results-france-germany-european-commission-nigel-farage-principles/

The Economist, 13/06/2024: European elections. Beyond France, the European elections will deliver more of the same https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/06/13/beyond-france-the-european-elections-will-deliver-more-of-the-same

Politico, 13/06/2024: Can António Costa be EU Council president despite his legal woes? https://www.politico.eu/article/antonio-costa-eu-council-president-legal-frontrunner-probe-portugal-prime-minister-resignation-government/

UK in a Changing Europe: Analysis, 14/06/2024: The 2024 European Parliament elections https://ukandeu.ac.uk/the-2024-european-parliament-elections/

World Economic Forum (WEF): Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics, 14/06/2024: EU elections 2024: Who won and lost – and what happens next? https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/06/european-parliament-elections-eu-brussels-2024/

European Council on Foreign Affairs (ECFR): Podcasts: Europe in 30 Minutes, 14/06/2024: Europe is shifting: EU election results could divide Europe https://ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/europe-is-shifting-eu-election-results-could-divide-europe/

UK in a Changing Europe: Analysis, 14/06/2024: The European Parliament elections: the shrinking middle ground https://ukandeu.ac.uk/the-european-parliament-elections-the-shrinking-middle-ground/

EurActiv: Opinion, 14/06/2024: Far-right gains in Europe are worrying – but will have limited political impact https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/opinion/far-right-gains-in-europe-are-worrying-but-will-have-limited-political-impact/

Deutsche Welle, 18/06/2024: Who will get the EU's top jobs? https://p.dw.com/p/4hCvn

EurActiv, 18/06/2024: Why EU leaders were forced to delay the bloc’s top job deal https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/why-eu-leaders-were-forced-to-delay-the-blocs-top-job-deal/

Carnegie Endowment for Peace (Europe): Strategic Europe, 20/06/2024: Europe’s New Leadership Faces a Teamwork Test https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2024/06/europes-new-leadership-faces-a-teamwork-test?lang=en¢er=europe

WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF): News, 24/06/2024: Nature and climate at a crossroads - EU leaders to decide on EU top jobs and the Strategic Agenda https://www.wwf.eu/wwf_news/media_centre/?14165916/Nature-and-climate-at-a-crossroads---EU-leaders-to-decide-on-EU-top-jobs-and-the-Strategic-Agenda

EurActiv, 24/06/2024: Antonio Costa, the controversial Socialist pick for European Council president https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/antonio-costa-the-controversial-socialist-pick-for-european-council-president/

EurActiv, 24/06/2024: Estonia’s Kaja Kallas, the Kremlin-critic in the run for EU chief diplomat post https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/estonias-kaja-kallas-the-kremlin-critic-in-the-run-for-eu-chief-diplomat-post/

Politico, 26/06/2024: The secret, unwritten rules of the EU’s top jobs carve-up https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-top-jobs-elections-2024-leaders-brussels-ursula-von-der-leyen-antonio-costa-kaja-kallas/

BBC News, 27/06/2024: EU leaders to agree on top jobs despite Meloni discontent https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c720jxw2rn8o

EurActiv, 27/06/2024: What Meloni wants: Bringing home results https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/what-meloni-wants-bringing-home-results/

Politico, 27/06/2024: Von der Leyen and Co. are in: What happens next https://www.politico.eu/article/ursula-von-der-leyen-european-commission-president-european-parliament-european-peoples-party/

Atlantic Council: New Atlanticist Blog, 28/06/2024: What to expect from the European Union’s new leadership https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react/experts-react-what-to-expect-from-the-european-unions-new-leadership/

3EG: Press Release, 28/06/2024: EU leaders signal stability on the EU’s green transition with new top jobs and agenda https://www.e3g.org/news/eu-leaders-signal-stability-on-the-eu-s-green-transition-with-new-top-jobs-and-agenda/

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), 28/06/2024: Von der Leyen appointed for second term as EU leaders recognise increasing damages due to climate change and biodiversity loss https://www.wwf.eu/?14195366/Von-der-Leyen-appointed-for-second-term-as-EU-leaders-recognise-increasing-damages-due-to-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss

New Statesman: Interview, 28/06/2024: Europe’s Iron Lady: Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas https://www.newstatesman.com/international-content/2024/06/estonian-prime-minister-kaja-kallas-russia-profile

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News

Euronews, 09/06/2024: EU elections results: EPP's von der Leyen extends olive branch to Socialists and Liberals https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/09/european-elections-21-countries-go-to-the-polls-as-vote-enters-final-day

BBC News, 10/06/2024: A night of drama in Europe as EU parliament moves to right https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c722rq29x7wo

Reuters, 10/06/2024: Far-right advances in EU election, France calls snap national vote https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-parliament-poised-rightward-shift-after-final-voting-2024-06-09/

Science Business, 10/06/2024: EU election unlikely to rock the research boat https://sciencebusiness.net/news/european-research-area/eu-election-unlikely-rock-research-boat

Euronews, 11/06/2024: Which countries saw poorest voter turnout for European elections? https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/11/which-countries-saw-poorest-voter-turnout-for-european-elections

EurActiv, 12/06/2024: Elected lawmakers set to shape the EU’s agrifood policy https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/elected-lawmakers-set-to-shape-the-eus-agrifood-policy/

Politico, 12/06/2024: Greens woo von der Leyen: We’re your only choice https://www.politico.eu/article/greens-ursula-von-der-leyen-pro-european-coalition/

Politico, 12/06/2024: EU election results loom over Ukraine aid discussions https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/12/eu-election-ukraine-aid-00162973

Politico, 12/06/2024: The great EU top jobs puzzle is nearly solved https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-top-jobs-european-election-ursula-von-der-leyen-portugal-antonio-costa-malta-roberta-metsola-estonia-kaja-kallas/

EurActiv, 13/06/2024: Le Pen, ID close door on Germany’s AfD, again https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/le-pen-id-close-door-on-germanys-afd-again/

EurActiv, 13/06/2024: The EU factions’ first post-election headaches https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/the-eu-factions-first-post-election-headaches/

EurActiv, 13/06/2024: All eyes on France, Germany and Italy as EU top job talks expected to gain traction at G7 https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-institutions/news/all-eyes-on-france-germany-and-italy-as-eu-top-job-talks-expected-to-gain-traction-at-g7/

Politico, 13/06/2024: Europe’s hard right to VDL: We won, let’s unite https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-hard-right-von-der-leyen-we-won-lets-unite/

The Guardian: Europe Live, 17/06/2024: EU heads finish meeting with no agreement on top jobs, Charles Michel says https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jun/17/eu-european-union-far-right-election-successes-europe-live

TVP World, 17/06/2024: Ursula von der Leyen on course for second term as president of European Commission https://tvpworld.com/78264878/ursula-von-der-leyen-on-course-for-second-european-commission-presidency

Reuters, 17/06/2024: EU summit ends without agreement on top jobs https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-leaders-discuss-top-jobs-with-line-up-seemingly-set-2024-06-17/

EUObserver, 17/06/2024: Von der Leyen finale? EU leaders call for ‘quick’ decision on top jobs https://euobserver.com/eu-political/ar80af55af

Euronews, 17/06/2024: EU leaders meet in Brussels to divvy up top jobs. These are the frontrunners https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/17/eu-leaders-meet-in-brussels-to-divvy-up-top-jobs-these-are-the-frontrunners

EurActiv, 17/06/2024: EU leaders expected to agree to top job ‘package deal’ over dinner https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/eu-leaders-expected-to-agree-to-top-job-package-deal-over-dinner/

Associated Press (AP News), 17/06/2024: EU leaders break off talks on top job nominees without result https://apnews.com/article/eu-summit-elections-leyen-macron-scholz-13a80f967352f4092c2d781428a49cd0

ERR News, 17/06/2024: State secretary: Kallas not obligated to resign if designated EC candidate https://news.err.ee/1609373717/state-secretary-kallas-not-obligated-to-resign-if-designated-ec-candidate

Times of Malta, 18/06/2024: EU leaders see top jobs deal returning von der Leyen by end June https://timesofmalta.com/article/eu-leaders-see-top-jobs-deal-returning-von-der-leyen-end-june.1094088

Le Monde, 19/06/2024: Ursula von der Leyen close to being re-elected EU Commission president https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/06/19/ursula-von-der-leyen-competing-to-be-re-elected-president-of-the-european-commission_6675123_4.html

EurActiv, 20/06/2024: Meloni hesitant about Kallas’ nomination for EU diplomacy head https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/meloni-hesitant-about-kallas-nomination-for-eu-diplomacy-head/

Politico, 25/06/2024: Von der Leyen, Costa, Kallas approved for EU top jobs by negotiators https://www.politico.eu/article/von-der-leyen-costa-kallas-approved-for-eu-top-jobs-by-negotiators/

The Guardian, 25/06/2024: EU centrists’ deal paves way for von der Leyen to return as commission president https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/25/eu-centrist-groups-pave-way-for-von-der-leyen-to-return-as-commission-president

Euronews, 25/06/2024: Negotiators seal EU top jobs deal for von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/25/negotiators-seal-eu-top-jobs-deal-for-costa-kallas-and-von-der-leyen

Reuters, 25/06/2024: Von der Leyen lined up for second term under EU top jobs deal, sources say https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-commission-president-von-der-leyen-wins-another-term-faz-dpa-say-2024-06-25/

Bloomberg, 25/06/2024: Italy Set to Get Key EU Role in Leaders’ Top Jobs Deal https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-25/italy-set-to-get-key-eu-role-in-leaders-top-jobs-deal?srnd=politics-vp

The Brussels Times, 25/06/2024: Six EU leaders agree to reappoint Ursula von der Leyen to the Commission https://www.brusselstimes.com/politics/1110376/six-eu-leaders-agree-to-reappoint-ursula-von-der-leyen-to-the-commission

The Guardian, 27/06/2024: EU leaders back Ursula von der Leyen for second term as president https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/27/ursula-von-der-leyen-wins-second-term-as-european-commission-president

Euronews, 27/06/2024: EU leaders agree top jobs, Meloni and Orbán hold out https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/27/eu-leaders-agree-on-top-jobs-ursula-von-der-leyen-antonio-costa-and-kaja-kallas

EurActiv, 27/06/2024: EU leaders expected to agree on Von der Leyen, top jobs despite lingering resistance https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/eu-leaders-expected-to-agree-on-von-der-leyen-top-jobs-despite-lingering-resistance/

Politico, 27/06/2024: Von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas bag EU top jobs https://www.politico.eu/article/von-der-leyen-costa-and-kallas-bag-eu-top-jobs/

Reuters, 27/06/2024: EU leaders nominate von der Leyen to head Commission for second term https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-leaders-nominate-von-der-leyen-head-commission-second-term-2024-06-27/

EurActiv, 27/06/2024: EU leaders greenlight top job package with Von der Leyen, Costa, Kallas https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/breaking-eu-leaders-greenlight-top-job-package-with-von-der-leyen-costa-kallas/

Bloomberg, 27/06/2024: Last-Minute Macron-Scholz Move Enrages EU Leaders at Summit https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-27/macron-and-scholz-s-summit-hijack-hits-a-wall-of-angry-eu-leaders

BBC News, 27/06/2024: Von der Leyen nominated to stay on in top EU job https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4vyg6jq6yo

EUObserver, 27/06/2024: Leaders approve von der Leyen, Kallas, Costa for EU top jobs https://euobserver.com/eu-political/ar56596f69

Deutsche Welle, 27/06/2024: EU summit: Leaders back Von der Leyen for second term https://p.dw.com/p/4hYwS

The Guardian: Europe Live, 28/06/2024: Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa and Kaja Kallas endorsed as EU leaders – as it happened https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jun/27/eu-leaders-meet-to-discuss-situation-in-ukraine-and-decide-blocs-future-leaders-europe-live

Reuters, 28/06/2024: EU leaders pick von der Leyen for second term as Commission chief https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-leaders-agree-top-jobs-strategic-agenda-with-focus-defence-2024-06-26/

Le Monde, 28/06/2024: EU leaders approve von der Leyen, Kallas and Costa for top jobs https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/06/28/eu-leaders-approve-von-der-leyen-kallas-and-costa-for-top-jobs_6676000_4.html

The Irish Times, 28/06/2024: EU leaders take hours rather than days to re-elect Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2024/06/28/eu-leaders-take-hours-rather-than-days-to-re-elect-ursula-von-der-leyen-as-european-commission-president/

Radio Poland, 28/06/2024: EU leaders agree on top jobs https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7785/Artykul/3396742

The Sofia Globe, 28/06/2024: EU leaders agree on top jobs – second term for VDL https://sofiaglobe.com/2024/06/28/eu-leaders-agree-on-top-jobs-second-term-for-vdl/

The Copenhagen Post, 28/06/2024: EU has got new leadership – Mette Frederiksen is not part of it https://cphpost.dk/2024-06-28/news/round-up/eu-has-got-new-leadership-mette-frederiksen-is-not-part-of-it/

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Official

European Union: European Election 2024: Results https://results.elections.europa.eu/

European Council: European Council conclusions, 27 June 2024 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga/euco-conclusions-27062024-en.pdf

EUR-LEX: OJ (L): European Council Decision (EU) 2024/1861 of 28 June 2024 electing the President of the European Council http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1861/oj

EUR-LEX: OJ (L): European Council Decision (EU) 2024/1862 of 28 June 2024 proposing to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1862/oj

European Council, 28/06/2024: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the European Council meeting of 27 June 2024 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/28/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-following-the-european-council-meeting-of-27-june-2024/

Portuguese Government: News, 28/06/2024: The challenges faced by the European Union "require strong leaders" https://www.portugal.gov.pt/en/gc24/communication/news-item?i=the-challenges-faced-by-the-european-union-require-strong-leaders

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