Nine cities across Europe are in fierce competition to host the forthcoming EU Customs Authority (EUCA), a body that will be responsible for overseeing a wide array of imported goods, including potentially hazardous items like counterfeit toys and illegal drugs. This contest, which has drawn significant lobbying efforts from various regions, sees contenders ranging from Portugal to Romania.
On Wednesday, representatives from national governments and EU lawmakers will each select their two preferred cities in Brussels. If both groups agree on a single candidate, that city will be declared the winner. However, if there is no consensus, additional rounds of voting will follow to determine the final host.
Current frontrunners in the race
Discussions among political insiders suggest that Porto, Liège, and Bucharest may be losing ground in the contest. Conversely, Lille, Warsaw, Málaga, Zagreb, and The Hague are seen to have a solid chance of advancing, with Rome potentially still within reach. Both Warsaw and Lille benefit from substantial support in both the Council and the Parliament, but the complexity of the selection process poses a risk of missing out on the opportunity.
“It’s a bit like Eurovision: Countries tend to vote for their neighbors, regardless of the quality of the song,” commented one EU diplomat.
The selection process unfolds in several stages, detailed below:
Understanding the voting stages
Part 1: Council Voting
The Council will likely require at least two, possibly four rounds of voting to determine its preferred candidates, beginning with each national delegation allocating 15 points among five contenders. The city receiving the highest score in this round will advance, potentially joined by a sixth city in case of tied scores.
In subsequent rounds, delegations will distribute six points using a 3-2-1 scale. A majority vote of at least 14 out of the 27 capitals is needed to finalize the two selected candidates. If this is not achieved, a third round will narrow it down to the top three, with further rounds to follow if necessary.
Part 2: Parliament Voting
Voting in the European Parliament will be more straightforward, led by representatives from each political group. The European People’s Party (EPP) holds the most influence, having 14 of the 51 votes available. Various parties, including the Socialists and Democrats and the Renew group, have already expressed their support for particular candidates.
The city that accumulates the least points will be eliminated after each round until just two competitors remain.
Part 3: The Reveal
After both the Council and Parliament have identified their two candidates, they will reveal their selections around lunchtime. If there’s a common choice, that city automatically wins. If not, a joint voting process will commence.
Part 4: The Joint Vote
The final voting stage will involve both institutions casting their votes with the goal of achieving a double majority. If a consensus is not reached, additional rounds will be held, requiring a simple majority to declare a winner.
As negotiations conclude, the Council’s presidency from Cyprus and Parliament representatives will collaborate with the Commission to finalize the essential customs reform, paving the way for a political agreement. Any delays could complicate future plans for an EU-wide fee aimed at regulating the influx of e-commerce packages from outside the bloc.
“Let’s get this all done,” urged Dirk Gotink, the Parliament’s chief negotiator, to reporters last week. “There is political will.”