The introduction of the Spitzenkandidaten system in 2014 intensified the power play between the European Parliament and the European Council. This chapter compares the 2024 election process with previous elections to identify the conditions shaping the outcome of this inter-institutional struggle. It highlights veto power, intra-institutional cohesion, and de facto agenda-setting as key explanatory conditions. In 2024, the unprecedented candidacy of an incumbent Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, alongside the absence of strong opposition to her re-election from either institution, resulted in a smooth selection process. This inter-institutional harmony shifted the focus to increased partisan divides. Furthermore, the strengthened link between electoral outcome and the selection of the EU’s top executive underscores the growing relevance of European political parties and marks a positive development for democracy at the EU level.