European Union member states are increasingly critical of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s lack of consultation on foreign policy decisions, according to Politico.
Diplomatic sources cited by Politico report rising frustration among EU member states with von der Leyen’s independent approach to foreign policy. This latest criticism follows the announcement of a partnership agreement with Jordan.
The agreement, finalized last week after discussions between von der Leyen and King Abdullah II, aims to help Jordan address the socio-economic consequences of the Syrian crisis and create more investment and business opportunities. This will be supported by €3 billion ($3.1 billion) in funding, encompassing grants, investments, and macro-financial assistance.
However, two sources told Politico that von der Leyen decided on the Jordan funding without consulting EU member states.
“We were presented with a fait accompli, despite being the ones paying,” an anonymous EU diplomat told Politico.
“This isn’t the first time von der Leyen has taken such action to cultivate relationships with global leaders. [Member states] are increasingly weary of it,” the diplomat added, without specifying other instances of this behavior.
The report highlights significant dissatisfaction with von der Leyen’s methods, particularly in foreign policy – a domain typically handled by the European Council and the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs.
“Ursula von der Leyen has been seizing every opportunity to increase her foreign policy influence,” MEP Nacho Sanchez Amor told the news outlet. He argued that this concentration of foreign policy decisions within the European Commission contradicts the bloc’s founding treaties, which assign foreign policy responsibilities to member states.
“We’ve uncritically accepted a shift of foreign policy power towards the commission, but this isn’t in line with the treaties,” he stated, advocating for a formal discussion on the matter.
Von der Leyen’s centralized approach has reportedly been contentious since her first term, straining relationships with former European Council President Charles Michel and the bloc’s former top diplomat, Josep Borrell. Before her reelection last year, reports surfaced indicating that many EU states were unhappy with her emphasis on climate change, the weakening economy, and perceived nepotism and lack of transparency in her policies. Since her June reelection, von der Leyen has shifted her focus to the bloc’s competitiveness and defense.