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Upcoming European Parliament plenary vote on End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation
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It’s been a turbulent rentrée for Ursula von der Leyen.
Over the weekend, her navigation equipment on her jet was “jammed”, her office said – allegedly by the Russians – just as the Commission president was set to land in Bulgaria. Fortunately, her pilots managed to land safely with the help of old-fashioned maps.
If only von der Leyen had a similar contingency for her foreign policy, which has also veered woefully off course in recent days. Though the Russians played a central role here too, there’s no denying that the real blame lies in the Berlaymont.
What happened? Von der Leyen announced via her favourite megaphone on Sunday that European countries were developing a “clear road map” for potential military deployments to Ukraine.
That was news to Berlin, which promptly contradicted the Commission president’s bold pronouncement. “No one is talking about putting ground troops in Ukraine at the moment,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz told German television.
As if that wasn’t slap down enough, Defence Minister Boris Pistorious chimed in on Monday: “Leaving aside that the European Union has no responsibility or competence regarding troop deployment…I would be careful to confirm or even comment on such deliberations in any manner.”
Any questions?
Von der Leyen’s supporters insist there’s method to the madness, but as is so often the case when the Commission tries its hand at geopolitics, it’s difficult to recognise anything resembling Grand Strategy.
The back and forth between Brussels and Berlin recalled the latter’s rapid rejection of von der Leyen’s €2 trillion proposal in July, which the German government called “not sellable”.
Both episodes raise the same basic question: Is the Commission president really that out of touch with her own country’s government?
That’s hard to imagine, considering that we’re talking about the EU’s largest and most powerful country.
Unless von der Leyen reverses course and reveals her inner compass, we’re unlikely to get clarity anytime soon.
Word to the wise: Buckle up.
Roundup
Russia open to Ukraine joining EU – In a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in China, Putin said that Russia had never opposed Ukraine’s accession to the bloc. But it drew the line at NATO membership.
Belgium to recognise Palestinian state, with conditions – The decision will be formalised on the condition that Hamas release all hostages taken on 7 October 2023, Foreign Prime Minister Maxime Prévot said in a statement.
Le Pen calls for dissolution of parliament – The far-right leader told reporters that the move would be the “only democratic solution” if Prime Minister Bayrou’s confidence vote next week fails.
Across Europe
Fear not for Feta cheese – The Greek government gave assurances that the popular cheese will not disappear, amid fears that sheep and goat pox could strike a major blow to the industry.
Luxembourg gets special NATO treatment – While other NATO members commit to spending 5% of GDP on defence, the small nation will continue a previous arrangement for its contributions.
Georgia sentences pro-European demonstrators – The verdict comes after the Georgian Dream Party claimed victory in last October’s parliamentary elections, sparking protests and raising concern among Western allies.
