MEPs vote to bolster Spitzenkandidat process

"The European Parliament gave its strong backing Wednesday for the Spitzenkandidat process for selecting the next president of the European Commission. It voted by 457 votes to 200 to adopt a resolution saying the assembly would reject any candidate for the Commission presidency that not been appointed as a Spitzenkandidat — or someone who has the formal backing of a party grouping — in the run-up to European election.

The Spitzenkandidat (or “leading candidate”) process awards the presidency to the party winning the most seats in Parliament. 

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The specific process does not have any official status in the EU treaties, but it was first used in 2014 to democratize a system that had hitherto allowed national leaders of the largest countries to dole out top EU jobs via backroom deals. A majority of European countries including France and from Eastern Europe have voiced opposition to the process though, arguing that it would force them to accept the winner of a process driven by party insiders. Critics also note that the Spitzenkandidat effectively eliminates from consideration any sitting head of state or government because it is unrealistic to expect someone to resign from national leadership to campaign for the Commission post."

Politico