António Costa, the president-elect of the European Council, is set to officially take over the leadership of the institution in a handover ceremony next Friday in Brussels. The announcement was made today, confirming that the event will primarily involve staff of the European Council, which consists of the heads of Government and State of the European Union (EU) and outlines key political directions and priorities for the community.
The ceremony will take place on Friday afternoon at the Council’s headquarters, where the outgoing president, Charles Michel, will officially transfer leadership to Costa. This transition marks a historic moment, as Costa will be the first Portuguese and first socialist to lead the institution. His term is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2024, and speeches from both leaders are anticipated.
Among the attendees, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is expected to be present, fostering a positive relationship with Costa—unlike the often contentious dynamic seen between Michel and von der Leyen during his term. Community sources have indicated a hopeful outlook for improved collaboration between the European Council and the European Commission in this new EU institutional phase, as well as a better rapport with the European Parliament under Roberta Metsola.
Ursula von der Leyen, who is expected to embark on her second five-year tenure on December 1, 2024, has developed a close working relationship with Costa from their time together during the Portuguese presidency of the EU Council in early 2021.
In statements to the international press in Brussels today, Costa emphasized his commitment to “unity among all” EU leaders during his leadership. He expressed a desire to eliminate unnecessary time spent on written conclusions in high-level meetings, advocating instead for these gatherings to focus on delivering “political messages.”
Two weeks prior, Charles Michel expressed confidence that Costa, as a former Portuguese prime minister, will act as a “guardian of unity” among the EU Member States, particularly as they navigate ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges.
Having represented Portugal at the European Council for eight years as prime minister, Costa is familiar with many EU leaders. In preparation for his upcoming term, he conducted a tour across European capitals during the summer and early autumn to meet with heads of Government and State, gaining insight into their perspectives and priorities for the future.
Costa will take over from Charles Michel, who has served as president since 2019, leaving office on November 30, 2024. Michel’s tenure has been characterized by significant challenges, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and rising tensions in the Middle East.
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