Charles Michel wants to ban Ursula von der Leyen from employment negotiations – POLITICO

“Member states are increasingly irritated by the role of Charles Michel in the selection process for the Commission president,” said a European diplomat. “This appears to be driven by purely personal motivations.”

All benefited from anonymity to speak frankly about the current drama.

It’s up to Michel to decide who can join the dinner with the leaders, given that the June 17 meeting is an informal summit.

European capitals strongly oppose Michel’s suggestion, diplomats and officials said. The historic rivalry between Michel and von der Leyen plays a key role in the irritation. Several European capitals believe Michel is seeking to secure von der Leyen at the end of their dueling presidencies and years-long rivalry by trying to thwart a possible second term for the Commission chief.

In conversations with EU leaders and their aides, Michel suggested excluding von der Leyen from the meeting because she is also the leading candidate of the European People’s Party and is considering a second term as head of the European Commission.

Leaders must agree on the next presidents of the European Commission, the European Council (Michel’s current position) and the European Parliament (although Parliament votes on its own leadership), as well as the next head of foreign policy.