International newspaper Politico has suggested that European Parliament President Roberta Metsola could have a slight chance at taking over Ursula von der Leyen’s throne once her term is up.
Politico created a list of different possible politicians who could get the job as the President of the European Commission, if not von der Leyen.
While von der Leyen is still a front-runner to get the second term, she is no longer a shoo-in for another five years with officials and diplomats warned in light of some slip-ups.
“Von der Leyen’s periodic missteps, from Pfizergate to her trip to Israel, are taking on new meaning as we get closer to the election,” Alberto Alemanno, a professor of law at HEC business school in Paris had previously told Politico.
So, the newspaper decided to hypothesise about potential presidents of the union’s highest body, and Metsola made the list with a two out of five score – the highest was three.
Politico gave reasons both why and why not Metsola would make a good fit, saying “Why? As outlined above, the EPP is unlikely to give up the Commission leadership in the next term. However, if von der Leyen doesn’t get the support she needs, the other top female EPP candidate could rise to the surface.”
“As European Parliament President Metsola has managed to stay above the political fray, a tactic which previously helped her secure her current post. At the same time she has shown leadership on foreign policy, and was the first EU leader to visit Kyiv after Russia’s February 2022 invasion.”
“Hailing from Malta, Metsola could be a win for southern Europe when the top jobs are hurt out. In an Instagram post last week, Metsola was seen huddling with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk — a hint that whatever the job may be, she has support in high places.”
“Why not? Malta is the smallest country in the EU, by both size and population. Nor does Metsola have any executive experience, even in her home country. Her conservative record on abortion was used against her at the start of her presidency of the EU legislature.
Other figures on the list include French President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde (scoring one out of five), Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (scoring three out of five), and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković (scoring three out of five).
Do you think Metsola would make a good Commission president?
