The European Union leaders on Tuesday agreed on the future leadership of the EU institutions, nominating Ursula von der Leyen, German defense minister, to be the next European Commission president. 

Here are the top four choices for EU's top jobs.

No. 1: Ursula von der Leyen

Job: European Commission president

What's the job?  Head of the executive branch of the EU, leads a team of commissioners equivalent to a national government's cabinet. The Commission sets the policy direction of the bloc, and its president represents the EU in negotiations on the world stage. 

Who is she? She was born in Brussels, Belgium, where she lived until the age of 13. Ursula von der Leyen was a trained physician before entering into politics, prior to which she studied economics in Germany and the UK. 

She was introduced to the Berlin stage by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2005. From 2005 to 2009, the mother of seven held the post of Family Minister. In 2009, she switched to the health department as a minister.

Four years later in 2013, she switched to the Ministry of Defense.  

If appointed, Ursula Von der Leyen would be the first-ever female European Commission president. One of her major priorities by then would be overseeing the Brexit process, she earlier lauded Britain's withdrawal by saying Britain has brought much-needed pragmatism to Europe. 

No. 2: Christine Lagarde 

Job: European Central Bank president

What's the job? Run the European Central Bank, which oversees the euro and monetary policy of the 19-member eurozone. The ECB chief has enormous influence, and becomes a central player in times of economic crisis.

Who is she? The 63-year-old lawyer became the 11th managing director of the IMF on July 5, 2011, also the first woman to hold the position. She was reelected for a second five-year term as the IMF president on July 5, 2016. 

Prior to joining the IMF, Lagarde served as France's Finance Minister from 2007 to 2011.

Moving from Washington to Frankfurt, Lagarde will drive monetary policy in a 19-nation economy, which signaled "need help" by its serving president Mario Draghi, likely lowering interest rates with the resumption of quantitative easing. 

No. 3: Charles Michel

Job: European Council president

What's the job? Chair meetings of the leaders of the member states, and represent the EU at major world summits and in bilateral negotiations alongside the Commission president.

Who is he? The 43-year-old is among the youngest European leaders, with family background surrounding politics: his father Louis Michel was a well-known liberal politician.

At 18, Michel became a provincial councilor. Five years later, he turned into the youngest member of the Belgian parliament. In 2014, Michel became Belgium's youngest prime minister since 1941. 

He will not require confirmation by members of the European Parliament.

No. 4: Josep Borrell

Job: EU foreign policy chief

What's the job? The European Union's top diplomat is responsible for the EU External Action Service, and serves a similar role to the foreign minister of a national government.

Who is he? The 72-year-old Spanish foreign minister started off his political career as a city councilor in a suburb of Madrid. He became a member of the Spanish Socialist Party in 1975, and stepped up as an elected member of the Spanish parliament in 1986.

His European Union credentials are strong. From 2004 to 2007, he served as the president of the European Parliament president. The role he is set to take on may seem less prestigious than the other top institutional positions, yet its importance has grown. He will require the parliament's confirmation for the role.