The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, has reportedly expressed sharp criticism of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in private conversations. According to a report by Politico, cited by Operative Information Center-OMM, Kallas has referred to her colleague as a "dictator" in informal settings.
Sources indicate that Kallas is deeply dissatisfied with Von der Leyen's centralized management style and decision-making process. However, within the current institutional hierarchy of the European Union, her options to influence or change this dynamic remain limited. The report suggests that the friction between the two top officials has already surpassed the notoriously cold relationship Von der Leyen maintained with the previous chief diplomat, Josep Borrell.
This internal rift comes at a critical time for the European Union as it navigates complex geopolitical challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and shifting trans-Atlantic relations following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in January 2025. The relationship between the Commission President and the High Representative is fundamental to the EU's "Team Europe" approach, and persistent discord between these offices could potentially hamper the bloc's ability to project a unified voice on the global stage.
