As preparations for next year's European elections gain momentum among political groups in the European Parliament, rumours circulate about Luxembourg's Nicolas Schmit spearheading the campaign for the Social Democrats.

According to a report in the Luxemburger Wort newspaper, the current European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights has stated that he is ready to take on this task.

The electoral system where the lead candidate at the European level must subsequently assume the presidency of the Commission upon securing a majority in the European Parliament, has seen success only once in the past two elections — in 2014 with Jean-Claude Juncker.

However, in 2019, this system faced disruption as EU heads of state and government appointed Ursula von der Leyen to replace Manfred Weber before a stable majority was established in the European Parliament, thwarting the established process.