Barbara Moens, the chief EU correspondent at POLITICO, Aitor Hernández-Morales, an Iberian politics expert, and Nick Vinocur, co-author of The Brussels Playbook, dissect the newly formed leadership trio in Brussels. They evaluate whether this team can effectively tackle challenges, especially support for Ukraine amidst changing political tides. The conversation also touches on the ongoing political crisis in France, the evolving EU dynamics, and the implications of leadership styles in navigating geopolitical issues. Expect insights full of sharp analysis!
The new EU leadership trio aims to assert a determinate stance on Ukraine, but faces potential pushback from divergent member state views.
Ursula von der Leyen's evolved leadership strategy emphasizes pragmatism and alliance-building amidst a shifting political landscape in Europe.
Deep dives
New EU Leadership Makes Bold Moves
The newly appointed EU leadership team, comprising Kaya Callas, Antonio Costa, and Ursula von der Leyen, has made a significant impact by affirming their support for Ukraine on their first day in office. Their visit to Kyiv, where they expressed solidarity with President Volodymyr Zelensky, symbolized a fresh commitment to addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Callas's assertive rhetoric, particularly her commitment to Ukraine's victory, signals a shift in the EU's diplomatic approach, marking her as a decisive leader willing to chart a new course. However, challenges remain, as the leaders must navigate potential pushback from member states that may not fully align with their proactive stance on such critical issues.
Balancing Act for Foreign Policy Chief
Kaya Callas's new role as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs poses both opportunities and challenges. As a hawk on Russia, her prior statements indicate a willingness to take a strong stance, which could mobilize support within the EU concerning international issues. However, her approach may encounter resistance, especially from member states with differing views on EU foreign policy, potentially leading to a clash similar to what her predecessor faced. The balance between advocating for decisive action and maintaining consensus among the diverse member states will be crucial for her effectiveness in this position.
Ursula von der Leyen's Strategic Leadership
Ursula von der Leyen's leadership style has evolved to become more central and influential within the EU, particularly during her second mandate. Her management of the new commission suggests she is seeking to assert her authority by ensuring key positions align with her agenda, avoiding the pitfalls faced by her predecessor. As the political landscape shifts rightwards across Europe, von der Leyen is tasked with navigating these changes while advocating for green initiatives that may face resistance. Her pragmatic approach appears to hinge on leveraging alliances and maintaining the delicate balance within the EU to address pressing challenges effectively.
Antonio Costa Cultivates Consensus
Antonio Costa's appointment as the European Council President presents a more conciliatory leadership style, aiming to foster dialogue and compromise among member states. Known for his adeptness in navigating complex political landscapes in Portugal, he emphasizes collaboration rather than confrontation, which could stabilize the council's operations. His focus on informal meetings and retreats reflects a desire to build rapport among leaders, which may lead to more substantial and productive discussions on pivotal issues like migration and defense. However, Costa must balance his role as a unifying figure with the need to address the divergent political trends within the EU, a task that could prove challenging in the current climate.
Finally. After months of paralysis, the new leadership team in Brussels is up and running. Then again, the power trio of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas might already be out of date, reflecting centrist majorities that don’t really exist anymore and pushing for support for Ukraine that’s already on the wane in the age of Donald Trump.
Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO’s own power trio of reporters — Barbara Moens, Aitor Hernández-Morales and Nick Vinocur — to debate whether the new dynamic in Brussels can face the challenges ahead and avoid devolving into petty pitfalls like the so-called sofagate scandal.
Next, the latest installment of the Berlaymont Who’s Who series looks at Marta Kos, the new gatekeeper for aspiring European Union members.
Lastly, we listen in to a clip from our sister podcast Power Play about the political crisis in Paris. Anne McElvoy talks to POLITICO's Editor-at-Large in France Marion Solletty and Alexandre Kouchner, political analyst and lecturer at the Sciences Po university. Listen here to the full episode: "French connection: Trump meets Macron in free fall"