How far do the powers of the Commission go? Von der Leyen sending Šuica to Trump broke the EU Treaty
Ursula von der Leyen sent European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica to a meeting of Trump's Peace Committee, causing controversy over potential violations of EU treaties.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sent Dubravka Šuica, the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, to a meeting of Trump's Peace Committee in Washington. Šuica attended the meeting in her capacity as a political representative of the Commission, selected by von der Leyen due to her responsibilities concerning Gaza. However, this move has raised eyebrows among certain EU member states, particularly France, which argue that it could violate the EU Treaty, as the Commission lacks the authority to conduct foreign policy that is supposed to adhere to unanimous decisions made by member states.
France has been vocal against Šuica's participation, emphasizing that it contravenes the stipulations of the EU Treaty. This stance is supported by other member states, including Spain and Belgium, who share concerns about the Commission's overreach regarding foreign policy matters. The issue highlights ongoing tensions within the EU regarding the distribution of powers between the Commission and individual member states, particularly in areas that require consensus and clear legal frameworks.
The controversy over Šuica's mission underscores the delicate balancing act the European Commission must perform while navigating both internal member state relations and external diplomatic engagements. As debates continue over the powers of the Commission, member states may need to reaffirm their positions to uphold the legal integrity of the EU and prevent overreach from the Commission, ensuring that foreign policy remains a prerogative of the member states themselves.