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Informal dinner of EU heads of state or government, în Brussels
EU leaders took stock of the results of the European elections and they kicked off the nomination processfor the new heads of EU institutions.
EU leaders mandated the President Donald Tusk to start consultations with the EU member states and the European Parliament. This will prepare the ground for decisions at the next EU summit on 20-21 June.
"I will now engage in consultations with the European Parliament, as foreseen by the Treaty. To kick-start this process I have already offered to meet the EP's Conference of Presidents as soon as they are ready. In parallel, I will also continue my consultations with Members of the European Council on the new heads of the European institutions. I can promise that I will be as open and transparent as possible."
The nomination process will lead to the European Council electing its President, proposing a candidate for the President of the European Commission, and appointing the President of the European Central Bank and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
President Tusk hopes to achieve clarity on all these posts by the June European Council. Any decision would also need to reflect the diversity of the Union when it comes to geography, the size of countries, gender as well as political affiliation. This will be the objective of the consultations.
Regarding the election of the European Commission President, the European Council reaffirmed that it will exercise its role in accordance with the Treaties:
"The Treaty is clear: the European Council should propose, and the European Parliament should elect. Therefore, the future President of the Commission must have the support of both a qualified majority in the European Council and a majority of the Members of the European Parliament."
Foto: EURACTIV.com