Next European Commission – What are the key milestones in the year ahead? #FHYearofChange

On 1st November 2019, the next European Commission will take office. In this video, Clément Luzeau maps out key milestones before the next President of the Commission settles in the Berlaymont building.

Until March 2019, during the run-up period, European political parties will select their Spitzenkandidaten/’lead candidates’ and decide on their manifestos. These manifestos will be debated at European level during the official campaign period, from March until the European elections on 23-26 May.

The selection phase will then span between June and November 2019, when the President of the Commission and Commissioners for each Member State will be appointed, and their respective portfolios will be allocated.

This journey starts already next week in Helsinki and in Madrid, where EPP and ALDE party members will meet respectively.

The first ‘Spitzenkandidat’ / lead candidate for the 2019 European elections will be elected during the EPP Congress. Two candidates are running: Manfred Weber, current EPP group leader in the Parliament, from Germany, and Alexander Stubb, former Finnish Prime Minister. The winner will campaign on the basis of the EPP manifesto, to be adopted in Helsinki as well.

The Liberals will then meet in Madrid to discuss their political priorities during the ALDE Congress. We can also expect continued talks on whether to present a Spitzenkandidat, also in light of the winner of the EPP contest.

Up next are the European Greens and the Party of European Socialists. The race to the Commission Presidency will also be reliant on uncertainties ahead of the reshuffling of the European Parliament.

These include the future alignment of French President Macron, the recomposition of the European Conservatives after the departure of the UK Tories and a potential coalition of far-right populist parties.

FleishmanHillard will roll out analytical coverage throughout the upcoming Year of Change. You can find out more in our video series and join the conversation with our #FHYearofChange hashtag on Twitter and LinkedIn.