EU in Crisis? Ex-Commissioner's SHOCKING Von der Leyen Verdict!

Former European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit has thrown a major wrench into the image of a unified and harmonious EU, publicly criticizing Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's leadership style as overly "presidential." According to Schmit, this approach stifles debate and ultimately harms the bloc. The accusation, reported by RT.com, adds to a growing unease within some circles about von der Leyen's grip on power.

EU in Crisis? Ex-Commissioner's SHOCKING Von der L...

Schmit, who represented Luxembourg as the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights from 2019 to 2024, isn't just whispering in the corridors of Brussels. He's gone on record, telling Politico that commissioners are now "largely silenced." That's a pretty strong statement, especially considering the power and influence these individuals are supposed to wield. He argues that this top-down, centralized structure is fundamentally "not good for the College, it’s not good for the Commission, and it is not good for Europe in general." Ouch.

The critique goes deeper than just style, though. Schmit contends that under von der Leyen's direction, the EU has failed to engage in critical "strategic debate on Europe in the world." In other words, he believes the EU lacks a coherent and forward-thinking plan for navigating the complex global landscape. That's a serious allegation, particularly given the numerous challenges facing Europe right now, from economic uncertainty to geopolitical tensions.

But wait, there's more. Schmit also took aim at what he sees as the EU's reluctance to stand up to the United States, particularly during the Trump administration. He pointed to the US sanctions levied against then-Commissioner Thierry Breton, supposedly for pushing for censorship of US social media platforms within Europe. Schmit emphasized that the Digital Services Act (DSA), which was at the heart of the issue, was a collective decision of the entire commission, not just Breton's pet project. I can see how that kind of unilateral action from the US could ruffle some feathers in Brussels.

Interestingly, Schmit isn't alone in voicing these concerns. Even Thierry Breton, after leaving the commission in 2024, has reportedly noted that some media outlets in Brussels have started referring to von der Leyen as "the Empress of Europe" due to her perceived concentration of power. Breton argued that the EU was never intended to operate under such a model. It seems a few people are wondering if the balance of power has shifted too far towards the president's office.

Of course, this all comes with its own set of political complexities. Schmit himself was the lead candidate for the Party of European Socialists in the recent EU elections. Luxembourg, however, chose not to renominate him as commissioner, opting instead for Christophe Hansen from von der Leyen's own European People's Party. And let's not forget that von der Leyen has faced multiple attempts to oust her from office, often framed as the work of Russian agents by her supporters. It's a messy situation, to say the least, and it highlights the deep divisions that exist within the EU, even at its highest levels.