The Politicisation of the European Commission's Presidency

This book is the first systematic effort to investigate the ramifications of the introduction of the Spitzenkandidaten process for the appointment of the President of the European Commission. It does so by examining the first two applications of the Spitzenkandidaten process from an historical, legal and political perspective. Although this process has spurred vibrant debate regarding its impact on EU elections and the EU political system, it has yet to be comprehensively analysed by scholars. Addressing this important gap, the book provides a conceptual framework for analysing the impact of the Spitzenkandidaten process, takes stock of its internal, inter-institutional and constitutional repercussions, and assesses its future prospects. Interdisciplinary in nature, the book touches on several important themes, including European elections, EU policy making, leadership, legitimacy, supranationalism and European integration. Published to coincide with the 2024 European Parliament election, it will appeal to scholars and students of the politics of European integration, public administration, governance, European politics and EU constitutional law.

Offers an historical, legal and political perspective of the Spitzenkandidaten process Provides a comprehensive assessment of the evolution of leadership selection in the EU Coincides with the 2024 European Parliament election

Autorentext
Matilde Ceron is a Researcher at the University of Salzburg, Austria. She was previously a Max Weber Fellow at the Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, Italy.

Thomas Christiansen is Professor of Political Science and European Integration at LUISS University, Italy.

Dionyssis G. Dimitrakopoulos is Reader in European Politics and the holder of the Jean Monnet Chair in Parliamentary Democracy and European Integration at Birkbeck College, University of London, UK.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: The Politicisation of the European Commission's Presidency.- 2. The Selection of the European Commission Leadership in Historical Perspective.- 3. Models of EU Democracy and the Politics of Leadership (S)Election.- 4. The Rise and Fall of the Spitzenkandidat? The Inner Logic of Parliamentary Federation.- 5. The Spitzenkandidaten Process: Establishing an Ambiguous Constitutional Convention?.- 6. The Law and Politics of Electoral Reform in the EU.- 7. Paths to Spitzenkandidaten.- 8. The Spitzenkandidaten Process in the Context of the EP Campaign: The Role of Party Competition.- 9. Interinstitutional Conflict in the Context of Leadership Appointment of the Commission.- 10. The Juncker Commission: Internal Perceptions of a Spitzenkandidaten Presidency.- 11. The European Council's Electoral Power: The National Leaders as Driving Forces behind EU Top-level Appointments.- 12. The European Parliament and the Spitzenkandidaten Process.- 13. Much ado about nothing? Assessingthe Impact of the Spitzenkandidaten Process on EU Policy-Making.- 14. Conclusion: Whither the Spitzenkandidaten Process?