Topic: Spitzenkandidat

The European Council bypassed the "Spitzenkandidat" democratic process to appoint Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission and Christine Lagarde as head of the European Central Bank. Critics argue these back-room deals reinforce German and French dominance over the EU project.

The "Spitzenkandidat" or lead candidate system for selecting the President of the European Commission is explained via a Euronews report. The process involves political groups nominating candidates, with the European Council then proposing a name to the Parliament. The system faces a power struggle between national leaders and EU parliamentarians.