European Union leaders break off talks over top job nominees without result

Leaders of European Union countries reached no final agreement on candidates for the bloc's top jobs Monday, but several praised the record of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and she appeared on track to secure their endorsement later this month for a second term in office.

"There is no agreement tonight at this stage," EU Council President Charles Michel said after chairing an informal dinner summit in Brussels.

The 27 leaders were weighing the fallout from the recent European elections and how to take those results into account as they nominate candidates for the top posts.

"This conversation was today a useful step to prepare the next European Council," Michel said, referring to the next meeting of EU presidents and prime ministers June 27-28. He refused to be drawn out on the chances of von der Leyen and others, saying only: "It will be clarified next week."

The June 6-9 elections saw the European Parliament shift to the right and dealt major blows to ...