António Costa, Portugal’s former prime minister, has officially stepped into his role as the new president of the European Council.

His appointment is seen as a positive development for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has an ambitious plan for the European Union.

Here’s a look at why that may be the case.

Warmer ties

Von der Leyen’s tenure has been marred by strained ties with Costa’s predecessor, Charles Michel.

Costa’s term begins December 1, alongside von der Leyen’s second presidency. While the previous leadership dynamic between the Council and Commission was often marked by conflict, including the much-publicised “Sofagate” incident during a diplomatic visit to Turkey, Costa has pledged to work collaboratively.

He stated his intention to “reinforce each other’s action” in addressing the EU’s challenges, according to Euronews.

A unified vision

Costa’s top priorities are aligned with those of von der Leyen’s.

His focus will be to support for Ukraine, defence policy, competitiveness, migration management and the reform of the EU budget.

Costa’s approach is also focused on bridging divides among the EU’s 27 member states, a task he framed as essential for the bloc’s success.

Observers believe Costa’s bridge-building style aligns well with von der Leyen’s strategic priorities.

Euronews quoted Janis A. Emmanouilidis, a senior analyst at the European Policy Center, as saying that Costa “will try to strike compromises, find consensus – hopefully, compromises – not at the lowest common denominator, because this is not what Europe needs at this present point in time.”

Closing a divisive chapter

The presidency of the European Council is largely symbolic, focused on moderating summits and coordinating the bloc’s political direction.

Yet, Costa’s approach could help repair the fractured relationship between the Council and the Commission, offering a unified front in tackling Europe’s most pressing issues.

With inputs from agencies