German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants centre-right candidate Manfred Weber. French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants 2 women and 2 men to be EU leaders in the next 5 years but declined to mention any names, saying only that he wants them to be "as charismatic, creative, and competent as possible".

European Council President Donald Tusk said the Council will nominate candidates who will be voted on by the European Parliament.