Why in news
On July 18, the newly constituted European Commission (EC), the executive arm of the European Union, elected Ursula von der Leyen, the EC’s first female President, for a second term
Yet the decision regarding Ms. Von der Leyen’s candidature was not unanimous
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s far right Prime Minister, disapprove of the European Council’s decision on Ursula von der Leyen’s candidature
How is the EC President chosen?
The selection of the EC President entails a two-stage process in consonance with the results of the parliamentary polls.
The candidate is initially proposed and elected by the European Council — comprising the leaders of the EU’s 27 member countries — and subsequently put to a secret ballot in parliament
Conventionally, the Council’s choice has been a straightforward affair, determined essentially by the steady dominance of top three of the bloc’s eight political groups
the EPP; the centre-left Socialists & Democrats (S&D) and the liberal Renew group
Controversy
Giorgia Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, had the most seats in the EU parliament and sought influence.
European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), led by Meloni, briefly became the third-largest group in the EU Parliament.
Italy’s significant role as a founding member and large economy heightened the tension
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