Straight from the European Council summit, we bring you the latest news and analysis on a range of tough issues on the leaders' agenda.

Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO colleagues Barbara Moens and Aitor Hernández-Morales to discuss how EU leaders agreed on who they want to lead the top EU institutions over the next five years.

With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a special guest at the summit, EU leaders also talked about Ukraine — following the official opening of accession talks between Brussels and Kyiv earlier this week.

Finally, we speak to Clea Caulcutt, our senior correspondent in Paris. She unpacks the prospects of Sunday's first round of snap parliamentary elections.

Further reading:

EU leaders arrive to discuss top jobs at high-stakes meeting — live updates by POLITICO

Giorgia Meloni hits out at EU top jobs backroom deal by Barbara Moens, Hannah Roberts and Giorgio Leali

Far right seizes France’s conservative heartlands by Clea Caulcutt

French election: Your guide to a vote that is set to shake the EU and NATO by Clea Caulcutt

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