First Woman Chosen for Top E.U. Job Wins Confirmation
Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 16.07.2019
Quotes
The first woman ever chosen to be the European Union's top executive clinched her selection on Tuesday, narrowly winning approval from the European Parliament after her unexpected nomination as a compromise candidate. [...]
Janis Emmanouilidis, an expert with the European Policy Center in Brussels, said that the turbulent process that led to Ms. von der Leyen's confirmation reflected "the realities of the union."
"It reflects a compromise of political parties, member states, a complex apparatus that at the end of the day comes up with a decision. It's sometimes difficult to follow how it works, but it does work," he said.
Mr. Emmanouilidis said that Ms. von der Leyen's background could help her in her new role. "She's a pragmatist and an experienced politician," he said, noting that she had made appeals to left-wing members of her party in the Parliament.
"But she has a lot to learn, with regards to European Union affairs," he added. "She's not a Brussels creature." [...]
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