model , with the accompanying “ perils ”‘ 11 .
In 2019 , as Ursula von der Leyen , who had not run as a lead candidate , became President of the European Commission , it seemed that the experiment had not necessarily led to a radical transformation . Accordingly , there is no ‘ inevitability about the development of parliamentary government in the EU ’ 12 but rather a path dependency that ‘ has characterised the EU ’ s interinstitutional relations and party politics ’ 13 .
Opinions on the desirability of the EU ’ s parliamentarisation diverge significantly . While some promote a contest for the head of the executive and the political programme as being key to a democratic polity , others warn against the danger of the Commission losing neutrality-based legitimacy .
Conclusion
The lead candidate process was introduced in 2014 to strengthen the links between EU citizens ’ choices and the EU ’ s policies and actions . However , one key issue with the process was that it largely remained an initiative of the Brussels elite and failed to raise awareness among the wider public . The reasons behind this were multifaceted and included election campaigns that were too targeted and a lack of attention from media and national parties .
The lead candidate process has certainly bolstered the powers of the European Parliament . In 2019 , the process did not work out as intended by the groups in the European Parliament , and it re-
11 . H . Kassim , What ’ s new ? A first appraisal of the Juncker Commission . European Political Science , 16 ( 1 ), 2017 , p . 29 .
12 . Shackleton ibid ., p . 199 . 13 . Christiansen ibid ., p . 1007 .
141