Charles Michel reelected as European Council president

European Council President Charles Michel was unanimously reelected for a second term at a meeting of EU leaders on Thursday.

The 46-year-old former Belgian prime minister’s next two-and-half-year term will begin on June 1 and run until the end of November 2024, the European Council said a statement.

As president of the European Council, Michel’s main role is to chair summits of the EU’s national leaders and coordinate the body’s work.

According to three officials, the decision to reelect Michel was unanimous, although a qualified majority would have been enough.

Considered close to French President Emmanuel Macron, Michel had been widely expected to secure another term by EU officials and diplomats. His reelection took place shortly before U.S. President Joe Biden joined the EU leaders for their Brussels meeting, following a NATO summit also held in the Belgian capital.

“I came to congratulate the man who just got reelected without opposition. I’d dream about that someday,” Biden joked, standing next to Michel, as he arrived at the EU gathering.