Thread by @jaemmanouilidis

Although process still ongoing, here some (preliminary) thoughts/ideas reflecting lessons from current (s)election of #EU leadership. Thread acknowledges that there is no 'perfect process' & assumes that Lisbon Treaty won't be (fundamentally) reformed in foreseeable future:

(1) #Spitzenkandidaten process suffered damage but it is here to stay. #GenieIsOutOfTheBottle: political parties will stick to it. BUT: process needs to be (continuously) reformed in light of previous experience while adapting to specific circumstances at beginning of new cycle;

(2) Key innovation of #Spitzenkandidaten process: introduction of #TransnationalList incl. all lead candidates. Voters should have 2nd vote to choose 'favourite' candidate from #EU-wide list. Innovation should apply in 2024 -> #EP / COM-P / (European) Council should endorse it.

(3) when nominating #Spitzenkandidaten, political parties must think process of (s)electing #EU leadership through & appoint lead candidates for COM-P who will have chance to be nominated by #EUCO (opposition to some candidates was clearly foreseeable this time around);

(4) #EP should determine a specific time period after #EP elections (4-6 weeks) to form a majority indicating preference as to who #EUCO should nominate as COM-P. This is necessary to increase political pressure on Parliament/parties to do so in future;

(5) When nominating COM-P, #EUCO should take #EP preference – which is supported by a majority in Parliament – into account, as it reflects the outcome of European elections, including also all MEPs elected via #TransnationalList;

(6) When #EUCO (s)elects/proposes other key #EU jobs [EUCO-P|HR/VP (& potentially also other COM VPs], heads of state or government should consider (s)electing/proposing (some of the) remaining #Spitzenkandidaten coming from parties supporting majority in #EP;

(7) before (s)election of #EU leadership, #EP & #EUCO should as a matter of principle agree that at least two of key #EU posts, including COM-P and/or EUCO-P, need to be held by females; [thread to be continued]