French President Emmanuel Macron has been making headlines recently for allegedly promoting the candidacy of former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi for the position of European Commission President. However, despite these rumors, current European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remains the favorite in the race, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Macron has been actively advocating for Draghi, who is widely respected for his role in rescuing Italy’s economy during the 2008 financial crisis. Draghi, a former president of the European Central Bank, is seen as a strong, experienced leader who could bring much-needed stability to the European Union.
However, von der Leyen’s position as the incumbent and her track record as the first female European Commission President give her a significant advantage in the race. She has also received support from several key EU leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Despite this, Macron has continued to push for Draghi, highlighting his economic expertise and his ability to unite different political factions. In a recent interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Macron stated that he believes Draghi is the best candidate to bring the EU out of the current economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Macron’s support for Draghi has also been seen as a strategic move to strengthen France’s influence in the EU. With Britain’s departure from the EU and Germany’s leadership in the bloc, France has been looking to solidify its position as a major player in European politics.
However, some political analysts believe that Macron’s backing of Draghi may not be enough to secure his victory. Von der Leyen’s leadership during the pandemic, along with her efforts to tackle climate change and promote gender equality, have earned her support from multiple EU member states.
Moreover, von der Leyen has made it clear that she intends to run for a second term as European Commission President. This determination, along with her strong support within the European Parliament, make it difficult for any other candidate to challenge her position.
The European Commission President is elected by a qualified majority vote from the European Council, which consists of the heads of state or government from each member state. The decision must also be approved by the European Parliament.
Despite the ongoing rumors and speculations, the final decision on who will be the next European Commission President will be made at the EU summit in June. Until then, it remains to be seen if Macron’s support for Draghi will be enough to sway the votes in his favor.
In the meantime, both Draghi and von der Leyen continue to prepare for the possibility of leading the European Commission for the next five years. They have both outlined their visions for the future of the EU, with a focus on economic recovery, digital transformation, and strengthening the EU’s role on the global stage.
As the race for the European Commission Presidency heats up, it is clear that both Draghi and von der Leyen are strong contenders. While Macron may be backing Draghi, it ultimately remains to be seen if this will be enough to overcome von der Leyen’s strong position. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain – the future of the EU is in capable hands.
