France claims its full place in European leadership
(BRUSSELS2) Summit meetings of European Heads of State and Government are interesting in that they allow - in addition to the subjects on the agenda - to prepare future meetings. The June 27 summit will not have failed in tradition.
A Council on July 16 to complete the European top three
François Hollande confirmed this during his press conference, held at the end of the summit on Friday, when I questioned him. A new European Council has thus been convened for next July 16 (*) to discuss the “ other responsibilities " at the European level. Those responsible for three essential positions will therefore have to be appointed: the Presidency of the European Council, the Presidency of the Eurogroup (Euro Zone) and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy”. This will not be the time to choose the commissioners. But everyone will think very hard about it. Because certain positions are also important within the Commission. " As soon as Juncker is actually appointed, there will certainly be discussions on the composition of the Commission and the responsibilities that can be entrusted to this or that Commissioner. confirmed the president.
The "three times" of the heads of Europe
My question was simple. "What position does France want and what name does it propose". The answer is very clear on certain points, a little less on others, finally elliptical... "Dutch" in a way. The President of the Republic first wanted to work on education, detailing the " three times of the designation process at European level. It's always useful. And that has one merit: to clarify the debate!
« On June 27, was the designation of the President of the European Commission, subject to the vote of the European Parliament on July 15 probably. It's the first time, that of the President of the European Commission, until July 15 ". Then will come le (2nd) time major responsibilities within the European Union. And after the (3nd) time commissioners, therefore of the composition and organization of the next Commission”.
What France wants: a vice-presidency of the Commission...
France wants “to take on an important responsibility in the Commission” and campaigning for a reorganization of the European Commission into major poles, confirmed the President. “I would like an organization around vice-presidencies which, themselves, could have important sectors under their responsibility ". And " France claims one of these vice-presidencies ". Here's to the clear...
Pierre Moscovici, maybe or not only?
The president "forgot" to answer the part of the question on the personality he intended to appoint to this post. Even if the name of Pierre Moscovici has already been mentioned more than publicly, he did not want to confirm it. An "oblivion" that does not happen by chance. He intends to keep a few cards in reserve. And his entourage remained just as discreet. The French "claim" does not stop at a single name. I questioned, immediately after the press conference, a senior official of the Elysée to find out if France had specific claims during the meeting of July 16 (on major positions). Without expressly stating so, he implied that it was not excluded. "France has its say". All games are therefore open, in a magnificent game of poker which is taking place between the main Member States...
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
Listen to the video. The question and especially the answer is from 30'20"
Finding a date for a summit: quite an art!
The date of July 17, a time mentioned, like that of July 18, to organize a new European Council, was impossible because several officials were busy at that time. Apart from the fact that it's Angela Merkel's 60th birthday (which would have been a nice symbol), there are other impediments. Thus the French President of the Republic, François Hollande, must start a tour of Africa for several days. Summiting earlier was also difficult. Because Jean-Claude Juncker must first be dubbed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The vote was scheduled during the plenary session on the morning of 16 July. It could be brought forward to July 15. But " with Parliament, you never know. All surprises are possible » as explained by a connoisseur of the European system. Hence the final idea of a summit meeting for dinner on July 16th.
