EU leaders fail to reach agreement on bloc's top jobs

European Union leaders on July 1 failed to agree on who should next hold the top positions in the European institutions. The summit started last might and went on for nearly 20 hours until midday on July 1.

Although different scenarios for the posts were discussed, no voting was reached. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov turned down claims that Kristalina Georgieva could hold the post of President of the European Council.

The informal talks had earmarked Dutch socialist Frans Timmermans to replace European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The positions of President of the European Parliament - in the face of Manfred Weber and possibly President of the European Council or High Representative for Foreign Affairs, remain for the first political power in Europe – the euroepan people’s party. The name of the Bulgarian Kristalina Georgieva appeared in the talks as possible successor of the European Council President Donald Tusk, but Bulgaria’s PM Borissov denied and said that the Council will remain for the liberals and that Bulgaria was not interested in the position of EU foreign policy chief.

During the night, Borissov spoke with Frans Timmermans, who is still opposed by some East European countries and some of the members of the EPP. According to Prime Minister Borissov, the majority will be the most stable if it is composed of the EPP, the Socialists and the Liberals. The names that stand out among the liberals are Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and the Danish EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

The EU leaders will meet again tomorrow.