MEPs are gossiping in Brussels that European Council President Charles Michel is trying to take the place of his nemesis, Ursula von der Leyen, the powerful head of the European Commission, POLITICO reports.
Eight diplomats, officials and representatives of EU national governments told POLITICO on condition of anonymity that they fear Michel is trying to pester von der Leyen at the end of their dueling presidency and long-running rivalry in an attempt to thwart a potential second term for the Commission chief. One EU official said:
It is driving everyone crazy, because his game is so obvious: making von der Leyen stumble and dreaming of his own top job.
Behind the scenes, the power war between the EUn’s two top officials unfolded over cancelled lunches and strategically crafted off-the-record statements from one side of the Rue de la Loi to the other.
When secret feud became public
The tension became apparent during a visit to Ankara in 2021 when Michel took the only available chair next to the Turkish president, leaving von der Leyen on a neighbouring sofa in what became known as Sofagate. She later made accusations of sexism in the European Parliament.
Some MPs believe Michelle is a contender for the role of EU foreign policy chief, succeeding Josep Borrell, with whom he has a good relationship. According to several of the eight diplomats and officials, his strategy will be to call heads of state aside for one-on-one talks, instead of discussing the top posts together with everyone present, which is what traditionally happens when such deals are struck.
To complicate matters further, Michel is leading the process of sharing top posts that will take place after the EU elections, including a decision by EU leaders that could lead to von der Leyen’s appointment for a second term. Ecaterina Casinge, a spokesperson for the president of the European Council, said:
He is not a candidate. As the president mentioned many times, he is and will be entirely focused on his job as EUCO President, and uniting the European Council in delivering substantial decisions.
On the eve of the elections, some European countries are increasingly nervous about Michel’s real agenda. One EU diplomat said, capturing the mood among many of their colleagues:
Many member states are concerned that Charles Michel won’t play a constructive role, but rather pursue a personal revenge agenda.
As officials prepare an agreement between the heads of 27 states and governments on the next presidents of the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament, as well as the next foreign policy chief, some fear Michelle will use the opportunity to hit back.
Von der Leyen’s reputation is on the rise
On paper, the 65-year-old von der Leyen is a candidate for president of the European Commission.
Since taking office in 2019, von der Leyen’s reputation as a top crisis manager has grown during the pandemic and the start of the Ukrainian military conflict, while Michelle has been the target of grumbling, criticism and ridicule. His sudden decision to leave his job early and run for the European Parliament, and then quickly backtrack on it, has only served to irritate the Belgian liberal across the bloc.
Not only is Von der Leyen the incumbent president, but her European People’s Party is leading in the polls, giving her every reason to retain power. In addition, it is hard to imagine which of the other candidates has a chance of moving her out of office.
In theory, the obvious play for Michel would be to quickly strike a deal for the top job, securing a second term for von der Leyen and putting the rest of the leadership puzzle together. Unless, of course, one takes into account Michel’s other supposed agenda items: rebellion and more power. Another EU diplomat said:
He sees the comparison with von der Leyen as fundamentally false and unfair.
Von der Leyen and her supporters declined to comment.
New role for Michel
With Michel’s term expiring on December 1, it cannot be extended and the former Belgian prime minister has no obvious exit strategy. So why not compete for another prestigious role at EU level? Besides, Michel may have enough von der Leyen opponents ready to pounce a few days before the European elections.
There are already some objections in Brussels to von der Leyen’s authority and her centralised leadership style. France, whose President Emmanuel Macron is one of the most important voices at the leadership table, has been evasive in announcing its support, perhaps to secure concessions or a chance to reshape the top table. In the European Parliament, socialists and liberals in von der Leyen’s EPP coalition are increasingly attacking her potential co-operation with right-wing leaders and parties.
One EU diplomat said that in Michelle’s case it comes down to “me, myself and I.” But the same EU diplomats who said Michel was out for revenge immediately brushed off his possibility of taking another senior position, calling it unlikely. According to them, Michel doesn’t stand a chance.
Nevertheless, diplomats believe it is better to be safe than sorry. So the current assumption is that the 27 EU leaders will bypass Michel if possible when discussing the top job when they meet for more formal discussions in Brussels on June 17 and June 27-28.
Another EU diplomat was sarcastic about a phrase that Michel’s chief of staff sometimes uses to refer to proposals from EU member states:
There is no appetite among EU leaders for this scenario.
