
Von der Leyen’s decision may aid Danish PM’s bid
Ursula von der Leyen’s pursuit of the European Commission presidency could boost Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s chances for the European Council presidency, evaluates Lykke Friis, Director of Think Tank Europe. With the conservative von der Leyen’s candidacy, the focus shifts to the Council position, potentially vacated as the current president, Charles Michel, faces declining support after a retracted decision to run for the EU Parliament. Frederiksen, noted for her statements at the Munich security conference and her approach to the Ukraine crisis, is seen as closely connected to Germany’s social-democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The possible establishment of a new EU Commissioner position for defense industry could be apt for an Eastern European candidate, easing the way for a Nordic social-democrat like Frederiksen to lead the Council, suggests Friis. Last year, Frederiksen was mentioned for NATO’s secretary-general but stated she wasn’t pursuing an international top position.