Brussels in turmoil: von der Leyen’s actions meet resistance

Ursula von der Leyen’s recent actions have sparked strong resistance in several member states, and a growing dispute is emerging in Brussels over who truly controls the European Union’s foreign policy.

Could unanimity be scrapped in Brussels?

Ursula von der Leyen has once again raised the issue of reforming the European Union’s foreign policy decision-making. The President of the European Commission argues that the unanimity rule increasingly hampers the EU’s ability to respond quickly to global crises.

The proposal would allow certain foreign policy issues to be decided by qualified majority voting, meaning a single country could no longer block a joint position. Von der Leyen believes this would strengthen the EU’s geopolitical credibility and its capacity to act.

However, the initiative has so far received little support from member states, many of which are reluctant to give up their veto rights.

The backdrop: support for Ukraine

The debate has become particularly acute after Hungary blocked a €90 billion joint loan package intended for Ukraine. The support would be implemented through enhanced cooperation, but Budapest’s resistance has once again highlighted one of the EU decision-making system’s greatest weaknesses.

Increasingly in Brussels, there are concerns that the unanimity rule prevents the EU from taking a unified stance on major geopolitical issues. At the same time, many member states view the veto as one of the last guarantees of national sovereignty within the EU system.

Iran also sparks new diplomatic tensions

Tensions were further heightened by the Iranian conflict, during the early days of which Ursula von der Leyen reportedly made more than a dozen phone calls to European and Gulf leaders. Diplomatic sources claim the Commission President even hinted at the potential for regime change in Tehran.

Several EU politicians argue, however, that this role does not fall to the Commission President. Coordinating EU foreign policy is formally the responsibility of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.