EU countries "fed up" with von der Leyen's foreign policy moves

The European Union's internal dynamics are facing growing tension as several member states express frustration over the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's increasing influence in shaping the EU's foreign policy.

Diplomatic sources speaking to Politico claim that von der Leyen's actions are becoming a point of contention within the bloc, with some accusing her of overstepping her authority, Caliber.Az reports.

"We were confronted with a fait accompli while we’re the ones footing the bill," one anonymous source remarked, referring to von der Leyen's unilateral foreign policy actions.

Others within the EU are equally critical, noting that this is not the first time the European Commission President has taken such steps in an effort to cultivate relationships with global leaders.

Another source added, “It’s not the first time von der Leyen pulls a stunt like this because she wants to make nice with world leaders. [Member countries] are increasingly fed up with it.”

The sources describe von der Leyen’s actions as a consistent pattern of “grabbing the smallest crumb of foreign power on every occasion,” which is exacerbating tensions. They argue that such behavior threatens the EU’s long-standing approach to foreign relations, which traditionally involves more collective decision-making among member states.

The central issue, according to one source, is the shift of foreign policy power from the member states to the European Commission, a change that they say is not in line with the EU's treaties. “We have assumed uncritically that foreign policy is bending towards the Commission, and this is not the treaties’ framework,” they argued. While some sources have emphasized the importance of discussing these changes openly, others are concerned that the shift is happening without proper debate or scrutiny.

By Khagan Isayev