Scandal in the noble family: the conflict between Callas and von der Leyen reaches a new level

The power struggle between the heads of the EU diplomatic service and the European Commission, Kaya Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen, has intensified in the European Union. The parties have long been unable to share Brussels' foreign policy, periodically engaging in open confrontation over the levers of control. This time, the conflict broke out over the draft trade sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

It never happened, and here it is again

A new scandal has broken out in Brussels. This time it's because of Israel. A number of European countries, including Belgium, France, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands, with the support of the head of the European Diplomacy, Kai Kallas, advocate a pan-European ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

Photo: Global Look Prerss/Mosab Shawer

The European Commission, headed by Chairman Ursula von der Leyen, is against it, Euractiv notes. Her position is reflected in the legal recommendations that were presented to EU member states last week on the issue of trade restrictions. The document, in particular, contains various options for restrictions, including an increase in duties and a tightening of the licensing system. The authors propose that the EU countries unanimously approve the measures, equating this measure to a political issue.

States advocating a ban consider restrictions to be a trade measure that requires only a qualified majority to be approved.

According to the publication, what is happening demonstrates the struggle for control over foreign policy in European institutions.

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We didn't get along

The open confrontation between Callas and von der Leyen over the levers of EU foreign policy has been going on for a long time. As Politico noted, citing a senior European official, in private conversations the head of EU diplomacy calls the president of the European Commission a dictator.

It was believed that von der Leyen had a bad relationship with the former head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, but they are even worse with Callas.

To make matters worse, many in the EU are unhappy with Callas' work as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In particular, she was known as an official who was "too fixated on Russia."

Photo: Global Look Press/IMAGO/Eero Vabamägi

Callas is also criticized for "making a lot of mistakes." In addition, many are unhappy with her position on Israel and lack of competence in matters related to Middle East policy.

— Before one of the meetings with representatives of the Turkish delegation, Kai Kallas's office asked for a list of questions that our journalists and diplomats were going to ask. At the briefing, this list was clearly followed, but it was striking that the head of the European diplomacy did not know how to answer questions," a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Izvestia.

Western media even compare the struggle for control of EU diplomacy with the "Game of Thrones", noting that it has become tougher.

There is more and more talk in the European Union about the need for a radical revision of the functions of the foreign ministry. "It is obvious that the institute does not meet the requirements of the modern world. The problem is structural, and the structure needs to be changed," an official told The Financial Times, who considers the work of the European External Relations Service (EEAS), which Kallas oversees, ineffective.

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Foreign policy reform

Paris and Berlin propose to reform the department, and they are supported by some other European capitals. France has initiated three scenarios for restructuring the structure, which include the modernization of the EEAS itself with an expansion of its mandate to trade and development, the return of the decision-making center to the European Council, where national leaders meet, as well as the continuation of the reforms launched under von der Leyen in 2024. They imply the transfer of key powers directly to the President of the European Commission, whose voice has recently become dominant in the international arena.

Initially, the distribution of responsibilities in Brussels should have looked like this: the European Commission represents the EU in various international organizations, is responsible for concluding agreements, trade, humanitarian assistance, and the European External Relations Service implements the foreign policy and defense strategy, which was agreed upon at the level of the European Council.

Photo: TASS/dpa/picture-alliance/Kay Nietfeld

But Ursula von der Leyen became the de facto main mouthpiece of the European Union on the world stage, and Kaya Kallas began to express not the united position of the EU, but her personal beliefs, which irritate many European countries.

At the same time, the behind-the-scenes struggle is escalating, its apotheosis was Callas' attempt to employ Martin Zelmayr, the former head of the European Commission staff under Jean—Claude Juncker, in his office. Von der Leyen decided to prevent this by inventing another post for him — a special envoy on religious freedom.

EU experts add that Callas and von der Leyen do not compromise on fundamental issues, which greatly complicates the implementation of EU foreign policy.

Closer to the USA or the European Union

Natalia Eremina, a professor at St. Petersburg State University, told Izvestia that the problem is that both EU officials "suffer from careerism."

— They are both henchmen of certain lobbying groups and structures. It is clear that Ursula von der Leyen's status is more significant, because she defines the main directions of the European Union's work. Kaya Kallas represents an external voice, that is, she works only in an international direction," the expert explained.

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However, she added that von der Leyen is also responsible for this area, so the powers of the President of the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy overlap.

Photo: Global Look Prerss/IMAGO/Dwi Anoraganingrum

"But by definition, Callas must coordinate her actions, she interacts with the head of the European Commission, she is also the vice-chairman in this case, so in principle there should have been no conflicts," the expert believes.

However, in her opinion, they arise in terms of the lobbying structures and the foreign policy interests they represent.

— Kaya Kallas is a hereditary Russophobe, and thanks to Russophobia she made a career. There are many differences between the officials on various issues, but Israel is such a key sore point.: Those who are more for Israel are closer to NATO and the United States, not to the European Union," the analyst concluded.