Too capable to stay and enjoy his (lavish) retirement. Too active just to take care of his four beloved grandchildren. This continental political phase is too important to remain idle at such a remarkable turning point. The announcement of Charles Michel’s candidacy for the European elections and his early resignation as president of the EU Council began negotiations over top positions in Brussels, where former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is seen by some as one of the main contenders. The 76-year-old former president of the European Central Bank, who is credited with saving the single currency, is being considered as a possible option to succeed the former Belgian prime minister, according to European officials and diplomats cited by the Financial Times . It is likely, according to the reconstruction offered by the Adnkronos news agency, that other possible candidates for the role now played by Michel will also emerge, and it is difficult to predict the sequence of subsequent negotiations and agreements on top EU positions, also linked in the sequence of the results of the June elections, underline the sources cited by the newspaper.
Sources close to Draghi suggest that the former prime minister is not working to be given any leadership position in Brussels. But the rumors surrounding him, based on the history, experience and stature of one of the EU’s most important figures, underline the desire in many capitals to reach the choice of Michel’s successor well before his likely departure in mid-July. The urgency is partly driven by EU rules that would allow Hungarian eurosceptic leader Viktor Orbán to take office if no candidate is chosen before the European Council President resigns: Hungary will hold the semi-annual rotating EU presidency from July 1 . A scenario, one that would see Orban as the European leader, that greatly scares the continental powers. A chess game to be played. Which will designate the near future of Europe.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
