German defense minister proposed to lead EU commission

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - EU leaders on Tuesday nominated Ursula von der Leyen as the next president of the European Commission, head of the European Council said.

In a Twitter post, Donald Tusk said the European Council has proposed the name of Leyen, who would be the first female Commission president if approved by the European Parliament.

"The European Council has agreed on the future leadership of the EU institutions," Tusk said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the European Council also elected acting Belgian premier Charles Michel a new president of the council.

Current IMF Managing Director and France's former Finance Minister Christine Lagarde was also nominated for the post of European Central Bank’s president.

Josep Borrell Fontelles -- Spain's foreign minister -- has been nominated for High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.