In 2014, for the first time in the EU’s history, European voters had a say in who would be named Commission president, thanks to the Lead candidate process. With parliamentary elections approaching, let’s see how this system that designates lead candidate works.

European election

EU politics

European elections: the Lead candidate process

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/19244198/N01-PUB-180522-SPIT-EN.srt

The 2014 European elections gave voters something new to consider: 

a Spitzenkandidat, or "Lead candidate."##@#

 they decided more than just their members of parliament,

 they also had a say in who would head the next European Commission. 

The Lead candidate method, based on the EU treaty, 

was the brainchild of the European Parliament, 

which wanted to make the choice of Commission president 

Before 2014, the Commission president was nominated by EU leaders.

European political parties put forward candidates for Commission president 

Debates are organised so the lead candidates can present 

and discuss their priorities and programmes ahead of the European elections. 

Based on the results of the European elections, 

a Lead candidate will be elected President of the European Commission 

after being formally proposed by heads of state and government, 

who will take into account the outcome of the European elections. ##@#

This process led to the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker 

Parliament has said it is ready to reject any nominee

 who is not designated a Lead candidate by a party.