If the Commission wishes to be taken seriously as a geopolitical actor, it will first have to develop the institutional mechanisms to translate the EU’s theoretical power into actual power. Rather than stepping into the growing space left by U.S. and Chinese unilateralism, the EU could overreach, advertising and brutally exposing its strategic shortcomings. But the danger for Europe is that the process of U.S.-China decoupling — which predates Trump but has been accelerated by his arrival — risks hustling it into poor decisions. Gender equality issues took center stage Wednesday in Brussels a day after Ursula von der Leyen, one the EU's most powerful executives, was treated like a second-rank official during a visit to Ankara. Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the U.K. What’s driving the day in Paris, en français, The weekly digest of the best stories in U.K. politics. The Commission Addressing these challenges alone is not an option. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on German politics. Like the tortoise who ultimately outpaces the hare, Europe’s reputation for slow, accretive but reliable policymaking may yet contrast favorably with the growing volatility of relations between the world’s two uncontested great powers. At one point this summer Ursula von der Leyen said her Commission will be “geopolitical”, as opposed to the “political” Commission of Jean-Claude Juncker. In 2020 that seems likely to change. By Lili Bayer. in the EU and internationally. A more geopolitically aware EU will need to tread carefully to avoid stirring up unwelcome memories in certain parts … Explore the live extension of our journalism, The wonk's survival guide to the EU Green Deal, April 19 — Rewriting the Transatlantic Tech Playbook, April 20 — The coming shakeup of the EU Emissions Trading System, May 18 — POLITICO Virtual Interview: In Conversation With Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Meet von der Leyen’s ‘geopolitical Commission’, European Commission fears frenemy infiltration, POLITICO Pro Briefing Call: Loi climat française et Green Deal européen, What ‘Sofagate’ says about Charles Michel, European sovereignty has lost its biggest champion, How to fix Brexit’s Northern Ireland protocol problem. Doing so will allow the EU to be the guardian of multilateralism, actively defending itself against the vagaries of U.S. President Donald Trump and competing economic and political models wherever they may be found. Take trade. At the same time, there is a risk that the economic crisis and internal divisions will make member-states more inward-looking. The Commission President wants the EU to lead international negotiations to raise the ambition of other major emitters by 2021, and has pledged to put forward a comprehensive, responsible plan to increase the European Union's emissions reduction target for 2030, from 40 % … It has extensive powers in some areas, such as competition and product regulation, but few in others. European Green Deal The Commission’s ambitions to lead the world in action on climate change will continue to rub against member states’ imperatives to manage the economic costs. It’s time to get real on putting that into practice, argue Nicole Koenig and Nils Redeker. EU strategy and foreign policy. So let’s step it up, and make the most of our international partnerships to propel ourselves into a sustainable future. On tech, there is growing concern in the U.S. that the EU’s competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, is becoming too aggressive in pushing her regulatory lead. Sure, the EU is not about to stand up its own continental army. All the different services and EU departments will have to talk to one another, and EU embassies and representations abroad will have to take on appropriately trained staff to streamline geopolitics and the energy transition. It is of course good news that the EU seems ready to accept some cold hard realities. It is no coincidence that Macron believes that a proper EU defense policy is the key to his “sovereign Europe,” and that Thierry Breton, the French commissioner, now straddles a joint internal market and defense portfolio in Brussels. Still, the adjective is growing on the Commission. These tensions will be exacerbated by what the EU wants to do on defense. 3 minutes read. French President Emmanuel Macron is the most important driving force behind this change. However, it will take steps toward using its large internal market to break down cross-border barriers to military trade and technological development. In her first Brussels press conference since taking over from Jean-Claude Juncker, von der Leyen said she will lead a … The EU’s “geopolitical Commission” is squandering its vaccine diplomacy moment. By logging in, you confirm acceptance of our POLITICO Privacy Policy. The EU’s “geopolitical Commission” is squandering its vaccine diplomacy moment. As Commissioner for International Partnerships, I drive this vision in our work with partners, leveraging the strength of our different policies abroad. On 1 December, Ursula von der Leyen will finally take office as president of the European Commission. If you do not have a login you can register here. Specifically, IDEA is responsible for contributing to the following Commission priorities: Geopolitics and Europe in the global order; Green Deal; Digital, technology and innovation; Social market economy; The future of Europe and the EU’s institutions Latest news, analysis and comment on migration in Europe and beyond. Here are the highlights from her announcement. Macron wants to push for more binding EU-wide screening of Chinese investment into infrastructure projects via Beijing’s mega-Belt and Road project. In-depth reporting, data and actionable intelligence for policy professionals – all in one place. The EU intends to become more assertive in this area, for example, by making compliance with the Paris climate agreement a precondition for new deals and by retaliating in kind against punitive tariffs. This is a timely and important moment. Everyone talks about geopolitics, but apart from vague references to the need for a robust partnership with China, investing in international organisations, and support for Africa, they do not deliver. The evident and much-debated solution is the introduction of a system called qualified majority voting (QMV). Last year Ursula von der Leyen promised to lead a ‘geopolitical’ Commission. There is little meaning to it today. The position of the High Representative will gain further importance. Under Frans Timmermans, a team of Commissioners therefore have a huge task of putting together a European Green Deal. Even before the new European Commission took office, the credibility of the EU as a geopolitical player was called into question several times. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers in Europe. She has promised to lead a commission that will avoid a scenario in which, as French President Emmanuel Macron recently warned, Europe might “disappear geopolitically” amid an escalating Sino-American rivalry. The journey of the new ‘Geopolitical Commission’ started in December 2019. The EU still aims at building good or at least non-confrontational relations with all of the great powers: China, Russia, and the US. Visit of Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner, to the "Centre de formation et d'insertion professionnelle", in Dar Naim, Mauritania – 25/02/2020, copyright European Union, Geopolitical Commission builds on International Partnerships, Asia, Central Asia, Middle East/Gulf and Pacific, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on French politics. It reflects the true change in paradigm towards equal partnerships. If they really want a geopolitical EU, then they need to be willing to allow for a powerful Commission, even if that means diluting their own power. Such a Commission will have a political agenda in which reinforcing the EU's role as a relevant international actor, and trying to shape a better global order through reinforcing multilateralism, is to become a key priority ('A stronger Europe in the world'). This document set a precedent for the EU by characterising a superpower as a ‘systemic rival’ and an economic competitor, as well as a negotiation and cooperation … In fact, one could be excused for getting the impression that the EU already is a geopolitical … Forget about a geopolitical Commission with the ambition to project European values on the world stage; we cannot even agree on making value-based decisions in our immediate neighbourhood. For many of us, this past year has been particularly hard. Latest news, analysis and comment on security in Europe and beyond. EU’s foreign policy ambitions put at risk of overreach. , The “geopolitical commission” that President-elect Ursula von der Leyen announced implies, most importantly, that the EU has to adapt to a world of great powers. COVID-19 makes a more geopolitical Commission more necessary than ever. The von der Leyen Commission is the current European Commission, in office since 1 December 2019 and is to last until the 2024 elections.Its president is Ursula von der Leyen, who directs a commission composed of one commissioner from each of the states composing the European Union, except Germany, which is von der Leyen's member state.. EU action on trade, tech and climate therefore risks provoking punitive tariffs on some of Europe’s more export-driven sectors such as autos and consumer goods, at a time when senior policymakers remain concerned, and have no immediate answers, over how to kickstart growth. National governments and the Commission also want to more effectively tackle the problem of “Chinese dumping” — competing with Chinese firms that have received state subsidies — and for China and the U.S. to open their public procurement markets to European firms, closing off EU markets to their firms if they don’t. Recognising that the Union’s … The World Economic Forum in Davos saw real friction between the U.K., France and the U.S. on the issue of “tech taxes.” Von der Leyen wants the EU to act alone if there is no global solution by the end of the year. The pandemic has shown us that we will only confront challenges and succeed by working together. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit VKontakte Odnoklassniki WhatsApp Telegram Share via Email. President von der Leyen entrusted me with the role of Commissioner for International Partnerships in my mission letter, and asked me to ensure that the European model of development evolves in line with new global realities. He laid out the building blocks of his approach in an interview with the Economist last year. The journey of the new ‘Geopolitical Commission’ started in December 2019. Two competing views are presently to be found emanating from the Commission’s senior leadership: (i) the idea that this Commission will be a “geopolitical commission” for an increasingly geopolitical world and (ii) a continuing commitment on the part of the EU, if the rhetoric is to be taken seriously, to the values of multilateralism and cooperative, collective action problem solving. We want Europe to be stronger in the world. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has set her stall out — but is it too ambitious? The EU should be careful not to make promises it can’t keep. We want Europe to be stronger in the world. In this ever changing, complex and competitive world, our generation is being tested by global calamities such as inequality, climate change and biodiversity loss, brought into sharper focus by COVID-19. The swift response to the pandemic could indicate a change of heart; Germany would be a natural leader of the bloc, but lacks military force and a willingness to invest in it. There was no meaning to the adjective back then. December 4, 2019 4:23 pm. The makings of a ‘geopolitical’ European Commission Nov 28,2019 - Last updated at Nov 28,2019 She has promised to lead a commission that will avoid a scenario in which, as French President Emmanuel Macron recently warned, Europe might “disappear geopolitically” amid an escalating Sino-American rivalry. This now forms the basis of von der Leyen’s approach to trade, technology and defense. The EU’s pivot towards geopolitics only really materialised in March 2019 with the adoption by the Juncker Commission and High Representative Mogherini of a joint communication presenting the strategic outlook on China. As the new EU leadership is coming in, we must give punch to our strategy, and make sure we have the power to make our ideas work in the real world. The neighbourhood, natural zone for a Geopolitical Commission The European Neighbourhood Policy was launched in 2003 to establish stability and prosperity with six countries in the East (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) and those on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, from Morocco to Syria. If the Commission wishes to be taken seriously as a geopolitical actor, it will first have to develop the institutional mechanisms to translate the EU’s theoretical power into actual power. With European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s ambition to lead a “geopolitical Commission,” the EU opens a new external front that could exacerbate internal splits — especially between Berlin and Paris — while simultaneously risking the bloc’s relations with the rest of the world. While large in size, the EU is lacking teeth when it comes to geopolitics; But the EU is waking up to a new reality. The EU should be careful not to make promises it can’t keep. But it risks serious confrontation with world powers that the EU is neither prepared nor capable to handle. But seen from the U.S., this will be an affront, especially since few EU capitals have fulfilled and are likely to fulfil their NATO promises on defense spending. With European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s ambition to lead a “geopolitical Commission,” the EU opens a new external front that could exacerbate internal splits — especially between Berlin and Paris — while simultaneously risking the bloc’s relations with the rest of the world. The commission is an odd hybrid of executive, civil service and watchdog. The new title, structure and mission statement gives DG INTPA a solid footing for contributing to the geopolitical ambitions of this Commission and supporting my work. It will do this by establishing and acting upon a new form of common “European sovereignty” — at once economic, military and strategic. Dave Keating is an American journalist based in Brussels covering European politics for France24. The European Green Deal must accept the reality of our geopolitical age – an ambitious task for the new Commission. The EU institutions are certainly not helping. Mujtaba Rahman is the head of Eurasia Group’s Europe practice and the author of POLITICO‘s Beyond the Bubble column. European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has presented her proposed team and the jobs she wants her Commissioners to carry out. Over the past few years, the European Union’s major political fault lines have primarily arisen from internal challenges: Brexit; fears over Italy’s eurozone membership; rule of law problems across Central and Eastern Europe. Has Margrethe Vestager become too aggressive in her approach? New European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has a plan to boost the EU’s role on the world stage. Indeed, in her Mission Letter to the High Representative the term ‘geopolitical Commission’ appears twice and in her speech at the Paris Peace Forum von der Leyen even spoke of wanting to foster a “ truly geopolitical Commission.” Though recently derided as a vaccine protectionist, the EU is, in fact, an export powerhouse. A world that is green, digital and fair, with equal opportunity for all. However, I am optimistic for what the future holds. Key to his vision is the idea that the EU must become a political and strategic player with one voice and one purpose, first in its own neighborhood and then in the world.