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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Jennifer Rankin in Brussels

Von der Leyen tightens grip on power in EU – but trouble looms on the horizon

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has strong-armed member states into nominating female commissioners
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has strong-armed member states into nominating female commissioners. Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA

Ursula von der Leyen was leaving nothing to chance. At a private meeting with members of the European parliament in Strasbourg last Tuesday, she chose not to reveal who would get what job in her incoming European Commission, due to take office at the end of the year.

Then immediately afterwards, during a brisk 21-minute press conference, she announced every single name, leaving MEPs fuming. “That’s not how it should be done,” said one.

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