Good morning from Paris, The name of Mario Draghi, a former Italian prime minister and head of the European Central Bank, has been circulating in Brussels for some weeks as a potential candidate to get the European Commission’s presidency after the EU elections on 9 June. Analysts told Euractiv’s Laurent Geslin in Paris that there is “immense mutual esteem” between Draghi and French President Emmanuel Macron with the latter reportedly pushing for his candidacy as an alternative to centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) candidate Ursula von der Leyen. However, a projected EPP victory combined with the expected Macron’s defeat by far-right Marine Le Pen in France, give more chances for von der Leyen to claim her reelection. But there might be an alternative plan for Draghi, according to a source from Les Républicains (LR) - currently members of the EPP but eyeing a potential collaboration with the hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group. “Ursula von der Leyen should be reappointed as head of the Commission, even if she has made things difficult for herself by opening the door to the ECR and Giorgia Meloni. But Mario could take the head of the European Council,” the LR source added. Such a scenario makes things complicated with EU socialists, who are pushing for Portugal’s Antonio Costa for this post. Read the full story here. Meanwhile, take a look at Euractiv’s overview of the parties taking part in the election and their platforms, which voters will need to consider before casting their ballot. | 