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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.
Nathalie Loiseau, a French Member of the European Parliament, sharply criticised the actions. As she put it,
“It was almost hallucinatory to see von der Leyen contacting leaders of Gulf states without official authorisation.”
“Speaking on behalf of the EU – without consultation?”
According to multiple diplomats, the problem is not merely that the Commission President is actively involved in diplomacy, but that she occasionally expresses political positions as if they represent the stance of the entire European Union.
A senior EU diplomat warned that this could easily create confusion for international partners.
“The issue is that the Commission President comes up with ideas while appearing to commit the EU—without prior consultation with the member states,” they said.
Critics note that the handling of the Iranian conflict is just one of several contentious issues. Several governments have previously criticised the Commission’s role in accelerating Ukraine’s EU accession and in von der Leyen’s engagement with Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace.”
Brussels strikes back at criticism
The European Commission has firmly rejected these allegations. A spokesperson emphasised that liaising with world leaders is an integral part of the Commission President’s responsibilities, and that von der Leyen is simply exercising the powers defined in the treaties.
They also stressed that the EU’s official position on the Iranian conflict was actually communicated by Kaja Kallas in a statement coordinated with all 27 member states.
Source: Portfolio.hu; Index.hu
If you missed it:
The article condesed
Ursula:
– And hereby I announce birth of the First European Empire!
Half the member states:
– Nah bitch fuck that!
Other half of the member states and bureocracy:
– Why can’t you understand, that you are just slaves? What about “solidarity”?!
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It is a brutal wake-up call regarding the pecking order. Our Politicians BFFs Mr. Trump and Netanyahu start a war that is now spreading (where are the shouts for “Peace!” and “No War!” from our Politicians, now?), and is impacting the world economy. No plan, just slogans and hard power.
The shift toward a multipolar world, where decisions are brokered between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, is leaving the EU scrambling for relevance. And to be relevant, it will need to act as a single bloc.
AND perhaps for context – lets consider the “several other Member states” on the fence re qualified majority voting:
Poland has traditionally viewed the move toward QMV as a threat to national sovereignty and a slippery slope toward a federalist Europe dominated by Berlin and Paris. There is a deep-seated strategic culture in Warsaw that insists foreign policy decisions should remain the prerogative of the nation state. This is shaped particularly by security considerations and Russia. Yes. Russia. They fear Russia. Thats why.
Austria and Ireland have concerns regarding their military neutrality – potentially being dragged them into foreign conflicts or defense commitments they constitutionally cannot support.
Cyprus (often supported by Greece) views the veto as its nuclear option regarding disputes with Turkey (as opposed to us – we habitually use the veto for leverage and our Politicians own purposes). There is always fear the EU might sacrifice Cypriot interests for the sake of broader trade or migration deals with Ankara if unanimity is removed.
Last but not least – Malta opposes it largely on the grounds of protecting the voice of the smallest nations against the collective will of the continent.
So, in conclusion – there may be a path to qualified majority voting within the EU.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST – Mrs. Loiseau, quoted, is a vocal supporter of abolishing the unanimity rule. She argues that the veto (often used by US) is a security risk that renders the EU impotent. She believes that for the EU to be respected by Washington, Moscow, or Beijing, it must be able to make foreign policy decisions by majority vote, not total consensus.
God, I love weekends. Able to draft a longer post. Hope context somehow helpful.
The fact that the US did not notify the unelected bureaucrats of the EU about the start of the bombings of Iran says enough about how the US thinks about of Ursula and co! Global political decisions are made in Washington, Moscow, and Beijing!Even India is viewed more highly politically and has relevance! The EU means nothing, neither militarily nor politically! Our scoundrel from Kiev is frustrated that he is fading into the background.By temporarily lifting the ban on Russian oil, the US is making a fool of the EU and Ukraine!