EU Diplomatic Power Struggle: von der Leyen vs. Kallas in ‘Game of Thrones’-Style Clash
The European Union is currently witnessing a heated power struggle between its top officials, Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas. This clash over authority within the bloc’s diplomatic and intelligence services has been described as a ‘Game of Thrones’-style confrontation by the French newspaper Le Monde. The situation has escalated as both officials vie for influence over the EU’s foreign policy and intelligence operations, highlighting the complex dynamics within the EU’s leadership structures.
Von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is consolidating her authority by establishing new units within her administration. These include the Directorate-General for Defense Industry and reportedly a spy unit, despite the existence of existing parallel bodies under the European External Action Service (EEAS). This move has raised concerns among officials at the Intelligence and Situation Centre (INTCEN), which operates under Kallas’ EEAS. Some fear that von der Leyen’s new spy agency could result in duplicated functions and a weakening of the foreign service’s capabilities, according to a report by the Financial Times.
The conflict has intensified this autumn when Kallas, attempting to bolster EEAS’ influence, tried to appoint Martin Selmayr, a former top EU official, to a senior role. Von der Leyen, however, viewed this as an act of war and responded by creating a lower-ranking post for Selmayr, effectively blocking the appointment. Le Monde has noted that this incident underscores the Commission Presidency’s near-obsessive desire to centralize power, often at the expense of any potentially autonomous entity within the EU’s structure.
Critics have long accused von der Leyen of an authoritarian leadership style, citing her tendency to bypass both member states and internal institutions to centralize control. This perception was central to recent attempts by opposition members of the European Parliament to depose her. Kallas, on the other hand, has largely secured her position through her anti-Russian rhetoric, although her communication style has been criticized for alienating partners and undermining the EU’s diplomatic standing. One such instance occurred in September when Kallas made a controversial remark about Chinese and Russian technological capabilities, which drew sharp criticism from the Russian Foreign Ministry.
These developments underscore the growing complexity within the EU’s leadership, with high-profile officials competing for influence over the bloc’s foreign policy and intelligence operations. The outcome of this power struggle could significantly impact the EU’s ability to project its influence on the global stage, raising questions about the effectiveness and cohesion of the European Union’s foreign policy apparatus.