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EU summit: Leaders suspend talks amid disagreement over top jobs EU summit: Leaders suspend talks amid disagreement over top jobs
(30 minutes later)
EU leaders meeting in Brussels remain divided over who should get the EU's top jobs, and talks have been suspended until Tuesday.EU leaders meeting in Brussels remain divided over who should get the EU's top jobs, and talks have been suspended until Tuesday.
They are arguing mainly over a successor to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. They had hoped to get a deal on Sunday night.They are arguing mainly over a successor to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. They had hoped to get a deal on Sunday night.
Diplomats say summit chair Donald Tusk proposed Dutch centre-left politician Frans Timmermans to succeed Mr Juncker.Diplomats say summit chair Donald Tusk proposed Dutch centre-left politician Frans Timmermans to succeed Mr Juncker.
Centre-right Bulgarian Kristalina Georgieva would replace Mr Tusk.Centre-right Bulgarian Kristalina Georgieva would replace Mr Tusk.
Late on Sunday the summit was suspended so that Mr Tusk could hold bilateral talks, seeking a breakthrough. Talks then resumed over breakfast on Monday but were later suspended until 11:00 (09:00 GMT) Tuesday.Late on Sunday the summit was suspended so that Mr Tusk could hold bilateral talks, seeking a breakthrough. Talks then resumed over breakfast on Monday but were later suspended until 11:00 (09:00 GMT) Tuesday.
Ms Georgieva is an economist and ex-EU Commissioner, who has been chief executive of the World Bank since 2017.Ms Georgieva is an economist and ex-EU Commissioner, who has been chief executive of the World Bank since 2017.
Mr Timmermans, currently a deputy to Mr Juncker, faces stiff opposition from eastern European states and centre-right leaders from the EU's biggest political group, the European People's Party (EPP).Mr Timmermans, currently a deputy to Mr Juncker, faces stiff opposition from eastern European states and centre-right leaders from the EU's biggest political group, the European People's Party (EPP).
In the proposed compromise package, the EPP's candidate to head the EU Commission, Germany's Manfred Weber, would instead become European Parliament president. He might split the five-year term with liberal leader Guy Verhofstadt.In the proposed compromise package, the EPP's candidate to head the EU Commission, Germany's Manfred Weber, would instead become European Parliament president. He might split the five-year term with liberal leader Guy Verhofstadt.
The package would put a liberal in charge of EU foreign policy, either Danish EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager or Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.The package would put a liberal in charge of EU foreign policy, either Danish EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager or Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.
Mr Juncker's successor will be responsible for proposing new EU laws, enforcing the bloc's rules and handling trade deals. Mr Juncker's successor to run the Commission will be responsible for proposing new EU laws, enforcing the bloc's rules and handling trade deals.
All of the EU's top jobs are changing hands this year, following European elections in May.All of the EU's top jobs are changing hands this year, following European elections in May.
The rare Sunday summit was called because EU leaders failed on 20 June to agree on candidates for the Commission president's job and other top posts: European Council president (to replace Donald Tusk); High Representative for foreign policy (to replace Federica Mogherini); European Parliament president and European Central Bank president.The rare Sunday summit was called because EU leaders failed on 20 June to agree on candidates for the Commission president's job and other top posts: European Council president (to replace Donald Tusk); High Representative for foreign policy (to replace Federica Mogherini); European Parliament president and European Central Bank president.
Why this political wrangling?Why this political wrangling?
The choices have to take account of the elections and achieve an acceptable balance regarding large and small states, gender and geography.The choices have to take account of the elections and achieve an acceptable balance regarding large and small states, gender and geography.
The centre-right EPP got the most votes in the May elections, but does not have a majority. The EPP got the most votes in the May elections, but does not have a majority.
The European Parliament wants the leaders to stick to the "Spitzenkandidat" (lead candidate) procedure launched in 2014, under which those nominated by the most successful parties in the elections get the top posts.The European Parliament wants the leaders to stick to the "Spitzenkandidat" (lead candidate) procedure launched in 2014, under which those nominated by the most successful parties in the elections get the top posts.
But French President Emmanuel Macron is among those opposing Manfred Weber and the "Spitzenkandidat" process.But French President Emmanuel Macron is among those opposing Manfred Weber and the "Spitzenkandidat" process.
The May elections also saw big gains for the liberals - including Mr Macron's alliance - and Greens, so the long-established centre-right and centre-left blocs can no longer dominate EU business. Nationalists also made gains.The May elections also saw big gains for the liberals - including Mr Macron's alliance - and Greens, so the long-established centre-right and centre-left blocs can no longer dominate EU business. Nationalists also made gains.
The Commission drafts EU laws, oversees national budgets, enforces EU treaties and negotiates international trade deals.
"The vast majority of EPP prime ministers don't believe that we should give up the presidency quite so easily, without a fight," Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar said on Sunday."The vast majority of EPP prime ministers don't believe that we should give up the presidency quite so easily, without a fight," Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar said on Sunday.
Politicians in Poland, Hungary and Romania dislike the way Mr Timmermans, a veteran of Brussels politics, has enforced the EU rule of law policy.Politicians in Poland, Hungary and Romania dislike the way Mr Timmermans, a veteran of Brussels politics, has enforced the EU rule of law policy.
Hungary's government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs tweeted that appointing Mr Timmermans to the top EU job was "completely unacceptable".Hungary's government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs tweeted that appointing Mr Timmermans to the top EU job was "completely unacceptable".
The top EU appointments - especially for Commission chief - sharpen not only national rivalries but also those between the European Council and the European Parliament, which is the only directly elected EU institution.The top EU appointments - especially for Commission chief - sharpen not only national rivalries but also those between the European Council and the European Parliament, which is the only directly elected EU institution.
Mr Macron stressed the need to nominate two men and two women for the four key posts. The fifth - parliament president - is mainly in the hands of MEPs.Mr Macron stressed the need to nominate two men and two women for the four key posts. The fifth - parliament president - is mainly in the hands of MEPs.
EU rules demand that the top appointments achieve a balance of geographical spread, big and small countries and gender.
How are the posts decided and what do they do?How are the posts decided and what do they do?
The EU treaties say the government leaders - the European Council - have to nominate a Commission president, then MEPs vote on that candidate.The EU treaties say the government leaders - the European Council - have to nominate a Commission president, then MEPs vote on that candidate.
The choice is made by qualified majority - that is:The choice is made by qualified majority - that is:
The pressure is on, because the new parliament meets on 2 July, and at their 15-18 July session, MEPs are to vote on the nominee. The new Commission president is to take office on 1 November.The pressure is on, because the new parliament meets on 2 July, and at their 15-18 July session, MEPs are to vote on the nominee. The new Commission president is to take office on 1 November.
The European Council president is to be elected by the EU leaders by qualified majority, and should take office on 1 December. He/she chairs EU summits and steers the bloc's broad strategy, while the Commission deals with the fine details.The European Council president is to be elected by the EU leaders by qualified majority, and should take office on 1 December. He/she chairs EU summits and steers the bloc's broad strategy, while the Commission deals with the fine details.
The High Representative for foreign policy runs the EU External Action Service (EEAS), dealing with major challenges such as Iran's nuclear programme, Kosovo and EU interventions in Africa.The High Representative for foreign policy runs the EU External Action Service (EEAS), dealing with major challenges such as Iran's nuclear programme, Kosovo and EU interventions in Africa.
A favourite to become ECB president, taking over from Mario Draghi, is Jens Weidmann, head of the German Bundesbank. The ECB had to calm markets during the eurozone crisis and manage Greece's severe debt problems. The bank has enormous influence, given continuing concern about the euro.A favourite to become ECB president, taking over from Mario Draghi, is Jens Weidmann, head of the German Bundesbank. The ECB had to calm markets during the eurozone crisis and manage Greece's severe debt problems. The bank has enormous influence, given continuing concern about the euro.
The European Parliament president steers MEPs' debates and their votes on most EU legislation.The European Parliament president steers MEPs' debates and their votes on most EU legislation.