Joint declaration by the EPP S&D and ALDE Groups on the election of the President of the European Commission

In a joint declaration, the Presidents of the EPP, S&D and ALDE Groups in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul, Hannes Swoboda and Guy Verhofstadt, have made a commitment to dialogue and consultations as soon as possible after the European elections, in accordance with Declaration 11, annexed to the Treaty on European Union (related to Articles 17.6 and 17.7). This states that "the European Parliament and European Council are jointly responsible for the smooth running of the process leading to the election of the President of the European Commission (...)".

"Representatives of the European Parliament and of the European Council will thus conduct the necessary consultations (...)."

According to the letter and the spirit of the Treaty, and taking full account of the results of the European elections, we commit ourselves to a dialogue and consultations as soon as possible after the European elections, with the aim of determining the European candidate to become the next Commission President from the political family able to form the necessary qualified majority in the European Parliament. The candidate from the largest group will be the first to attempt to form the required majority. On this basis, we will jointly submit a proposal to the European Council to start inter-institutional consultations in conformity with Declaration 11.

The next elected Commission President will be the result of a transparent process, not the product of back-room deals.

Our political families will present themselves at the European elections each with their own candidate(s) for President of the next European Commission.

The next Commission President must be chosen from amongst them. Citizens' expectations will thereby be respected, making the European Union more democratic and closer to them.