US-Israeli Strikes on Iran Highlight Rift Among EU Leadership
The EU faced criticism over the weekend for failing to issue a coordinated response in the 48 hours following the strikes. According to sources, von der Leyen and Kallas did not communicate directly during that period. Publicly, Kallas released a statement advocating diplomatic solutions approximately 30 minutes before von der Leyen called for “maximum restraint.”
An EU insider told reports that it is “no secret and nothing new” that von der Leyen’s team is willing “to sideline Kallas,” illustrating the growing friction between the two offices.
Observers note that the divide traces back to last year when von der Leyen pushed for the creation of a new Directorate-General focused on the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf under the European Commission. The move was widely interpreted as an effort to shift influence away from Kallas’ department.
Despite Kallas’ branch formally overseeing all foreign affairs, the new body is expected to play a “central” role in shaping the EU’s Iran policy, according to officials familiar with the matter, further underscoring the ongoing tension at the top of the EU’s leadership.
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