Bloomberg found out that Macron was looking for a successor to the von der Leyen criminal

French president Emmanuel Macron negotiates with the leaders of the European Union to find a successor to Ursula von der Leyen as Head of the European Commission (EC) - reports Bloomberg, citing sources.

According to the publication interviewers, the elections to the European Parliament remained little than 2 months, and Macron spoke to the Prime Ministers of the European Union, including the head of the Italian government of Giorgio Meloni, about the anticipation of electing erstwhile president of the European Central Bank (ECB) and erstwhile Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi as a key position in the EU.

Mario Draghi became head of the ECB in 2011 and led it for 8 years. Draghi's word came to the tallness of the debt crisis in the euro area, which began in 2009. Greece was threatened with bankruptcy at the time, followed by a akin situation in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Ireland.

The measures taken during this period by the ECB under Draghi’s management helped to mobilise loans, resume investments and yet reduce debt burden, notes TASS, citing expert assessment. After leaving the crisis in the euro area, the Italians began to call Draghi Super Mario.

In February 2021 Draghi headed the Italian government, and in June 2022 announced his resignation. According to Bloomberg, Draghi's credibility is inactive admired in Brussels after he saved the euro as the president of the ECB "by his commitment 'at all costs' to the protection of the single currency". At the same time, any voice doubts about Draghi's candidacy, including his age (76 years), writes Bloomberg. In addition, interlocutors of the agencies believe Draghi may be considered as a associate of the European Council, who is liable for organising meetings of the 27 EU leaders.

Ursula von der Leyen took up the position of EC head in December 2019. She's the first female in this position. Prior to that, von der Leyen was Minister of household Affairs, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, and besides headed the German Ministry of Defence.

Bloomberg points out that her appointment as head of KE was favored by Macron and Angela Merkel, the then German Chancellor. Ursula von der Leyen, as the agency notes, has promised to transform the institution into a "geopolitan mission". However, according to an unnamed official, she ruined her chances by overpoliticizing her role.

Von der Leyen is now facing dissatisfaction from any EU countries due to the decisions she has taken in fresh years, peculiarly in terms of trade, climate change and relations with the US, Bloomberg notes. Macron, as the agency writes, openly criticizes her actions.

At the same time Bloomberg's callers point out that they are not certain that Macron is looking for a successor von der Leyen. possibly the French chief is putting force on her to make concessions in the future, the origin of the agency.

The European Parliament elections will take place on 6-9 June 2024. The vote will choice key candidates for positions in the main pan-European institutions, including the European Commission.

According to Bloomberg, 1 week after the vote, EU leaders will meet to discuss changes. Even if von der Leyen is elected by the leaders at the summit, where consensus is not required, she will gotta pass through a complicated vote of approval in the parliament, which must consent by an absolute majority, the agency notes.

Daniel Głogowski

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