Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock is being eyed as a possible replacement for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, news sources in the country are claiming.
The Greens politician is reportedly seen by many as a more viable replacement for the current Commission head than ex-Italian prime minister Mario Draghi, who has so far been the main alternative candidate for the position.
He may now be pushed into taking the role of European Council President, with news outlet Bild reporting that Baerbock is now being considered for the top EC job.
One of the key reasons behind the rumour is increasing German dissatisfaction with von der Leyen. The country’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is said to be unhappy at her constant attempts to court the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists group.
As such, his traffic-light government is said to be actively considering whether or not to send a different Commissioner to Brussels following the European Parliament elections later in June.
If Scholz opts to replace her, the country’s coalition agreement makes it likely that such a substitute would be a green, with Baerbock being deemed one of the few figures within the party to have the necessary experience for the job.
The outlet added that Baerbock may also serve as von der Leyen’s replacement even if someone else is chosen for the EC President role, with the left-wing politician to be handed some other senior EC portfolio if Member States back a different candidate to become chief
Germany’s “green” foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and her colleagues suffered an embarrassing defeat to a bunch of Fijian schoolchildren, losing 5-1 in a football match during her visit to the South Pacific island. https://t.co/gZQlq53iIg
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) May 7, 2024
Baerbock is facing serious competition to become EC president.
So far, Draghi remains the number one alternative to von der Leyen currently being discussed in Brussels, with the senior Italian politician said to have the backing of French President Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister of his native country, Giorgia Meloni.
Some European People’s Party officials are said to be trying to block the appointment, insisting that the current EC head should be kept on despite her shortcomings, and that Draghi can be handed another senior position instead.
“Ursula van der Leyen should be reappointed as head of the Commission, even if she has made things difficult for herself by opening the door to the European Conservatives and Reformists and Giorgia Meloni,” one insider from the French Republicans reportedly said.
“But Mario could take the head of the European Council.”
Europe is concerned about rising tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, prompting an immediate rebuke from Beijing. https://t.co/3DipWO54x1
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 11, 2024
