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BORGO EGNAZIA, Italy — French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday he believed EU talks could deliver a decision on Brussels’ top jobs in the coming week.
“It’s a discussion that takes place among the 27; we’ve called each other; [a deal] appears possible in the days that come, in the week that comes,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is tipped to secure a second mandate after the center-right European People’s Party consolidated its position in the EU election on Sunday. Leaders also need to choose a new European Council president and a foreign policy chief.
On Thursday evening, Macron held talks with von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on EU top jobs on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Puglia.
“I think that things can move quite quickly. I will go Monday in that spirit,” said the French president with reference to an upcoming European Council summit.
An EU diplomat also said a deal on Monday looked increasingly likely.
In the aftermath of his decision to call a snap election at the end of June, the French president appears eager to accelerate discussions on top jobs in Brussels, which can sometimes drag on for weeks. Not only is von der Leyen often a target of far-right, euroskeptic attacks in France, but talks in Brussels might be upset if a new government comes to power in France.
On Monday, several French officials indicated Macron was poised to give von der Leyen the nod. France’s focus in the next commission is expected to be on the economy and industrial policy.
Barbara Moens contributed reporting.
