Publication

This paper discusses the use of the 'spitzenkandidaten' procedure for the selection of the President of the European Commission in 2014. The author first reviews the effects that this procedure will have on the internal balance of the European Commission and its relations with the European Council, Parliament and member states. He then argues that the adoption of this procedure has rendered the selection process more transparent and democratic and that it will likely trigger important changes in Europe’s political parties and elections.