All posts tagged: von

Ursula von der Leyen faces blowback over diplomatic ‘overreach’ – POLITICO

Ursula von der Leyen faces blowback over diplomatic ‘overreach’ – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“I felt I was hallucinating … watching Ursula von der Leyen call the heads of Gulf states,” said Nathalie Loiseau, a centrist French lawmaker on the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. “She has no diplomatic service, speaks without a mandate or intelligence briefings. Her words have no value beyond her individual statement.” The role of coordinating the bloc’s foreign policy, the diplomats who spoke to POLITICO said, lies with Kallas, whose task it is to liaise with capitals and formulate a common position — even if that’s often a slow and painstaking process. Von der Leyen risks creating confusion in relations with the rest of the world, they said. “The problem is the president going out with ideas and somehow committing the European Union without consulting countries beforehand,” said a senior EU diplomat involved in foreign policy discussions and who, like others in this article, was granted anonymity to speak frankly about sensitive internal matters. “She is saying things that are not in her mandate.” These tensions will be in the background as von der …

Von der Leyen doubles down in face of energy crisis criticism – POLITICO

Von der Leyen doubles down in face of energy crisis criticism – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“There is criticism and concerns coming from member states, but at the leaders’ retreat [last month in the Belgian countryside] they asked the Commission to come up with solutions on energy,” said one EU official with knowledge of the talks, granted anonymity to speak frankly, as were others quoted in this piece. Described as an orientation debate, the meeting was a chance for commissioners to “exchange ideas on these topics and propose concrete actions,” said the EU official, “particularly in this case, as the president is expected by the member states to present on energy prices at the next EUCO [European Council]. They’re important to member states so it’s important to the Commission.” According to an internal note drafted by EU competition chief Teresa Ribera, a Spanish socialist, and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, a Danish social democrat, “the recent escalation in the Middle East and the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have had an immediate effect on global energy prices and market volatility.” Oil and gas prices have jumped sharply in the wake of …

EU chief von der Leyen calls for regime change and shift to democracy in Iran – POLITICO

EU chief von der Leyen calls for regime change and shift to democracy in Iran – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“A credible transition in Iran is urgently needed,” von der Leyen posted on X after a call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar. “This must mean the halt of Iran’s military nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and the end of destabilising actions on air, land and at sea. Above all, it must reflect and support the democratic aspirations of the brave people of Iran.” The transition to a new supreme leader under the current Iranian system is being handled by 88 clergymen in the country’s Assembly of Experts. Qatar has come under heavy barrages from Iran, which is retaliating against a U.S.-Israeli attack on its territory, launched on Saturday, that aims to destroy its nuclear facilities and ballistic missile capabilities in addition to toppling the Islamist regime. “With the region in deep upheaval, Qatar can count on strong European solidarity,” von der Leyen said in her post on X Sunday. Qatar shot down waves of Iranian missiles fired at targets within its territory over the weekend. On Saturday the resulting shrapnel injuring 16 …

Von der Leyen to visit Greenland as EU shores up Arctic presence – POLITICO

Von der Leyen to visit Greenland as EU shores up Arctic presence – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The Arctic has become a strategically important region for global powers. Melting ice due to climate change is opening new shipping routes. The EU’s Arctic special envoy, Claude Véron-Réville, has said the region is undergoing “profound changes,” marked by “growing geo-political tensions and geo-economic competition driven by its strategic location.” Von der Leyen’s visit comes just weeks after Trump renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, triggering heightened tensions between the EU and Washington. In January, von der Leyen stressed: “Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. … The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.” NATO has recently started a mission in the region in an effort to keep Trump onside. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said: “Security in the Arctic and the Far North is essential for us as NATO, as Europeans, but also for North America.” Greenland is the biggest financial benefiter under the EU’s Overseas Country and Territory scheme. The European Commission proposed to double financial support for the island starting in 2028. The EU …

As NATO concerns persist, von der Leyen urges EU to fortify defense clause – POLITICO

As NATO concerns persist, von der Leyen urges EU to fortify defense clause – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“I believe the time has come to bring Europe’s mutual defense clause to life,” von der Leyen said, without providing specifics. “Mutual defense is not optional for the EU. It is an obligation within our own Treaty — Article 42.7 … It is our collective commitment to stand by each other in case of aggression.” But working to clarify how that article could be activated doesn’t mean junking existing reliance on NATO and the U.S. for the continent’s security. However, Europe will have to do more to stand on its own, she said. Dusting off 42.7 is a response to a year of unparalleled attacks on the continent from Trump’s administration, from Vice President JD Vance’s scorching attack on Europe at last year’s Munich conference, to Trump casting doubt on Article 5, denigrating the contribution of allies who fought alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan and — most significantly — calling for the annexation of Greenland, a Danish territory. “Europe needs to step up and has to take on its responsibility. Admittedly, it has taken some …

Von der Leyen and Merz clash over future of EU’s core climate law  – POLITICO

Von der Leyen and Merz clash over future of EU’s core climate law  – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“This system is implemented to reduce CO2 emissions, and at the same time to enable the companies to come to CO2-free production lines. So if this is not achievable, and if this is not the right instrument, we should be very open to revising it, or at least to postpone it,” he said to loud applause from industry representatives. “We should avoid everything that is jeopardizing the competitiveness of our industry. I’m fully in line with all those who are saying we have to do more on climate change,” he added, but if policies come “at the cost of our industries, at the cost of the [jobs] in our industry, this is unacceptable. And that’s the reason why I’m in line with everyone who says if this is not the right instrument, we have to talk about that and we have to change it if it doesn’t work.” And while in a separate session, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against “killing” the ETS, he insisted: “Europe cannot define ambitious climate objectives while allowing its industrial …

Swiss skier Von Allmen makes history by winning third Olympic gold

Swiss skier Von Allmen makes history by winning third Olympic gold

Published by Sam Flores

Franjo von Allmen became only the third male skier in history to win three gold medals at a single Winter Games when he claimed victory in Wednesday’s super-G in Bormio. Von Allmen booked himself a place in the pantheon of Olympic alpine skiing greats, with Austrian Toni Sailer and France’s Jean-Claude Killy the only other racers to have won a hat-trick of golds. Sailer won the downhill, giant slalom and slalom races at the 1956 Cortina Olympics, a feat mirrored by Killy at the 1968 Grenoble Games. Only Croatia’s Janica Kostelic has achieved the feat in women’s skiing, at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Switzerland’s Von Allmen, who won the downhill on Saturday, partnered Tanguy Nef to victory in Monday’s team combined. Wearing bib number seven for the super-G, the 24-year-old hit speeds of 120km/h (75mph) to dominate the race down the Stelvio course, clocking a winning time of 1min 25.32sec. American Ryan Cochran-Siegle followed up on his silver medal from Beijing Games four years ago with another second spot, 0.13sec off Von Allmen’s …

Von der Leyen vows stronger single market, less red tape ahead of EU summit – POLITICO

Von der Leyen vows stronger single market, less red tape ahead of EU summit – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The message comes as leaders prepare for a working retreat at Alden Biesen castle in the Belgian countryside on Thursday, during which they will discuss the EU’s competitiveness in the face of rivals such as China and the U.S. Top of the agenda is how to integrate its single market and leverage the size of the EU economy to ensure the continent isn’t sidelined. Among the priorities set out by the Commission is a new drive against EU bureaucracy, and von der Leyen announced she will present a report to leaders on her progress in cutting red tape. Plus, the Commission will look to continue to diversify its trade ties, as well as backing a “European preference” for public procurement. According to von der Leyen, while the EU should strive “to reach agreement among all 27 Member States,” if that proves impossible on vital areas of economic policy, different ways to get around the objections of capitals will be considered to prevent “a lack of progress or ambition … undermining Europe’s competitiveness or capacity to …

Von der Leyen tries to stamp out tensions in her top team – POLITICO

Von der Leyen tries to stamp out tensions in her top team – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

While the meeting will focus on competitiveness and will feature a special guest — IMF Managing Director and former Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva — also on the agenda are discussions on “geopolitics in the current context and the working methods of the European Commission,” Commission deputy chief spokesperson Arianna Podestà told POLITICO. The latter element was prompted by what staffers inside the Berlaymont, the Commission’s HQ, describe as an unusually tense atmosphere. The spark for the idea of the meeting, according to four of the Commission officials, was a tense exchange in early December in which Dan Jørgensen, the energy commissioner, confronted Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera during a meeting of the College of Commissioners — as first reported in Brussels Playbook. Jørgensen will be attending the Feb. 4 meeting, his team said. Ribera’s team did not respond. | Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Both commissioners declined to comment on the incident but one official said Jørgensen had raised his voice when confronting Ribera, while another said the Danish commissioner “made a point toward Ribera that …

Von der Leyen’s management style ‘not good for Europe,’ says ex-commissioner – POLITICO

Von der Leyen’s management style ‘not good for Europe,’ says ex-commissioner – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

On U.S. relations, Schmit criticized the Commission for not publicly defending former commissioner Breton, who was handed a travel ban by Washington over what it views as unfair efforts to regulate American social media and tech giants. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told POLITICO at the time that the College of Commissioners agreed to provide Breton with legal and financial support. Breton was the commissioner who pushed through and helped enforce the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a piece of regulation designed to enforce content moderation policies on large online platforms. Schmit said the laws that the U.S. is unhappy about — regulating digital services and digital markets — were adopted by all 27 commissioners, including von der Leyen, and not by Breton alone. Thierry Breton was the commissioner who pushed through and helped enforce the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a piece of regulation designed to enforce content moderation policies on large online platforms. | Olivier Hoslet/EPA “This is the point where we should have shown more solidarity and said ‘no, it’s not one, it …