European Parliament 2019: in the eve of the elections

The article deals with intensive discussions on the principles of MEPs election and nomination of the European Commission's President, which take place in two major EU institutions - European Council and Parliament. The author focuses on analysis of the most controversial initiatives - nomination of a Spitzenkandidat and the MEP's "transnational lists". Based on the debates in the European Council and the European Parliament, as well as on the EU Commission proposals, the author examines the positions of various political actors who will participate in the elections and influence the appointment of EU leaders. The author concludes that the Spitzenkandidat process is considered by the main pro-European parties and the EU leaders to be an instrument for the exclusion of influence of eurosceptics and redical groups. On the other hand, the tensions between the EU institutions, which go beyond the electoral process itself, give extra trump cards to eurosceptics and critics of European integration.