EU Leaders Fail to Reach Agreement on Top Job Appointments Amid Political Shifts

EU leaders convened in Brussels to discuss key appointments for the bloc's top roles following recent elections, but failed to reach an agreement on the first day of talks. Ursula von der Leyen's European People's Party (EPP) emerged as the largest bloc, positioning her for a second term as European Commission President, although formal consensus has yet to be achieved. Other likely candidates for top positions include former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa for European Council President and Estonian Premier Kaja Kallas for EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs. The negotiations, influenced by gains for right-wing parties and a weakened Franco-German political axis, will continue, with a formal vote expected at a summit next week. The elections have caused political turmoil, including snap elections in France, which adds to the complexity of reaching a swift resolution.