Von der Leyen warms up for a second term at the head of the European Commission. The German Christian Democrat politician, who has shown interest in continuing to lead the community Executive, wants to include a Defense Commissioner in her team.

And she wants to show herself not only as the conservative candidate, but also as a consensus person. If she runs, the possible rivals that have emerged so far—the Luxembourg commissioner Nicolas Schmit (of the Socialists and Democrats) or Bas Eickhout ( of the Greens, Netherlands)—cannot overshadow her.