The EU's new power pyramid and migration escalation
Sep 20, 2024
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Marion Solletty and Eddy Wax dive into the recent political shake-ups in the European Commission, including the drama surrounding Thierry Breton's departure. They analyze the power dynamics among EU leaders, especially with Ursula von der Leyen's new team. The conversation heats up with a discussion on the escalating migration crisis, highlighting Germany's tightening border checks and the influence of far-right politics. Expect insights on Kaja Kallas, the new key diplomatic player, and the evolving geopolitical landscape as Europe grapples with these challenges.
Ursula von der Leyen's new commission lineup reflects her political strategy, emphasizing climate initiatives and emerging power dynamics among member states.
Germany's hardening immigration policies are reshaping EU dynamics, revealing tensions between national interests and collective solidarity on migration issues.
Deep dives
Unveiling the New Commission
Ursula von der Leyen has revealed her lineup of new commissioners, marking a significant event in the election campaign season. This announcement not only showcases her commitment to her political promises but also highlights her policy priorities going forward. The newly appointed executive vice president, Teresa Rivera, is tasked with leading initiatives for a clean and competitive transition, setting the tone for the commission's focus on climate and sustainability. Emerging power dynamics are already evident, as some countries receive stronger portfolios than others, impacting their influence within the commission.
Political Maneuvering and Rivalry
Significant political maneuvering has occurred behind the scenes, particularly with Thierry Breton stepping down and being replaced by Stéphane Séjourné as France's commissioner. This move is seen as an effort by von der Leyen to solidify her position by eliminating potential internal rivals and aligning with political allies. While Séjourné holds a significant role with oversight over vital areas, the power shared with existing executives may limit his capability to enact major changes independently. This shift reflects ongoing tension within the European political landscape, where strategic alliances and rivals shape the commission's future.
Migration Policies in Europe
The episode brings to light current migration challenges within Europe, particularly focusing on Germany's recent implementation of land border checks amid rising political pressure concerning asylum seekers. These policy shifts signal a broader trend of hardening stances on immigration, affecting the Schengen zone and the principles of free movement among member states. The situation has caused discontent among other EU countries, as they grapple with the implications of Germany's unilateral actions and strict rules on asylum seeker reintegration. This reflects growing concerns that nationalistic approaches may undermine EU solidarity and complicate collective migration responses.
International Relations and Security Focus
Von der Leyen's new commission emphasizes a heightened focus on international relations and security, influenced by ongoing geopolitical challenges such as Russia's actions in Ukraine. New commissioners, particularly those hailing from Eastern Europe, are expected to play critical roles in shaping a security-centric agenda for the EU. This strategic shift underscores the need to respond to external threats while integrating competitiveness and security into all policy areas. As the commission prepares to tackle these multifaceted issues, the balance of power among various commissioners will be pivotal in determining the EU's effectiveness in addressing both internal and external challenges.
Live from Strasbourg… and Paris… and Berlin… and London, it’s EU Confidential. In this week’s episode, we catch you up on a dizzying week of news. We start with the inside dish on Thierry Breton’s high-drama departure from the European Commission, followed by analysis of who’s really in charge now that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has debuted her new team, with POLITICO’s Marion Solletty and Eddy Wax. Host Sarah Wheaton also sits down with current (and likely future) climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, and we debut our new series of mini-profiles, Berlaymont Who’s Who, with an introduction to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s next foreign policy chief.
And that’s not all: Migration is roiling domestic politics around the bloc. POLITICO’s Hans von der Burchard and Rosa Prince talk about how the left-leaning leaders of Germany and the U.K. are taking cues from the far-right on keeping migrants out.