European Council: from Top Jobs to Top Priorities

28. 06. 2024
AUTHOR: Linda Kalcher and Neil Makaroff

EU leaders have confirmed the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as the European Commission President, with Antonio Costa as Council President and Kaja Kallas as High Representative. They also reached an agreement on the EU 2024-2029 priorities, the so-called Strategic Agenda.

The European Council set the right direction to rebuild a competitive industrial base in Europe, boost net-zero technology manufacturing, embrace circularity and foster the electrification of the economy. It has the potential to reduce energy and technology import dependencies and support an innovative industry. It is now time for von der Leyen to form a comfortable majority in the European Parliament on shared priorities in order to be confirmed as European Commission President. 

Our Executive Director, Linda Kalcher, highlights:

"The EU is facing increasing geopolitical uncertainty and geoeconomic dependencies. It’s time for leaders to rise to these challenges and set aside internal discrepancies. The new trio has the potential to show more unity and assertiveness on the global stage, also on the importance of the transition to climate neutrality. The Strategic Agenda leaves no doubts about the direction of travel and commitment to climate action. On clean tech, they chose wisely to lead instead of being left behind China and the US."

Our Director, Neil Makaroff, emphasises:

"EU leaders have given Ursula von der Leyen a clear mandate to make Europe an industrial powerhouse in her second term. Far from pausing or rolling back on Europe's net-zero transition, they are drawing out its natural next steps: building clean tech factories, accelerating the electrification and circularity of the economy. She now has the difficult task of building a coalition in the European Parliament. Turning the net-zero transition into a major industrial success and energy sovereignty asset can be a priority that unites political groups into a solid coalition."

Media contact: Thomas Willems | Brussels