Von der Leyen wins dispute with Kallas over EU diplomatic service

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wanted to strengthen the EU's diplomatic service, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen thwarted her plans, reports the German newspaper Die Welt. The dispute concerned the role of former European Commission Secretary General Martin Selmayr.

"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has won the power struggle with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas," writes Christoph B. Schlitz on Wednesday on the "Die Welt" website.

The author noted that the dispute, which was resolved only a few days ago, was "more than just a psychodrama in the Brussels political bubble."

After taking up the position of EU foreign policy chief, Kallas came to the conclusion that the EU's foreign service (European External Action Service, EEAS - PAP) was not efficient enough to meet the challenges resulting from the new global situation and, above all, those caused by the policies of US President Donald Trump.

Kallas concluded that the person who would be able to reform the "ossified structures of the sluggish diplomatic service" consisting of 75,000 employees was EU official Martin Selmayr.

According to Die Welt, Kallas underestimated the outrage that her proposal would cause in the capitals of EU countries and with the head of the European Commission, von der Leyen.

The newspaper noted that Selmayr served as a top advisor to then-European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker from 2014 to 2019. He was considered "the most powerful official in the history of the EU Commission." His enormous influence in Brussels earned him the nickname "Rasputin."

Born in Bonn, this law professor is considered a man who pursues his projects with great force, but also someone who "puts his ego above all else." At the end of his term, Juncker appointed him Secretary General, and thus the highest-ranking official in the European Commission. The European Parliament dismissed the appointment as "an action resembling a coup."

"Die Welt" recalled that in 2019, von der Leyen dismissed Selmayr "within minutes," after he allegedly threatened, "I'll be back," during their farewell. Von der Leyen sent him to Vienna, where he became head of a "small and insignificant" EU delegation. The 54-year-old official made numerous attempts to return to Brussels, but von der Leyen effectively blocked his plans. A year ago, he became ambassador to the Vatican.

A few months ago, a new opportunity opened up for Selmayr in the EU's diplomatic service. He was to become Deputy Secretary General in the new Department of Geoeconomics and Interinstitutional Affairs. This position would have made him Kallas's "power man" at the EEAS, responsible for direct contact with all ambassadors, the European Parliament, and EU countries.

Could it be that Kallas didn't realize how much of a provocation Selmayr's nomination would be for von der Leyen? Or perhaps she consciously sought confrontation, believing that the result was the most important thing? "Die Welt" wonders.

Last week, von der Leyen proposed the creation of a new position at the College of Commissioners – a plenipotentiary for religious freedom – and offered it to Selmayr. This was, according to Die Welt, a "poisoned offer." Von der Leyen deprived Kallas of the opportunity to use the official according to her plan. Selmayr now has a choice: accept a third-rate position, remain in a meaningless position at the Vatican, or leave the European Commission after 22 years.

"Von der Leyen countered Kallas and Selmayr's plans with a technocratic trick," Die Welt concluded. (PAP)

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