Germany's Handelsblatt reported yesterday (November 2) that EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas is planning to appoint Martin Selmayr, the EU ambassador to Vatican City known as the "unstoppable bulldozer," as Deputy Secretary-General of the EU External Action Service. However, her appointment request was rejected by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Appointing ambassadors abroad is within Kallas' authority, and she only needs to obtain the approval of the President of the European Council. It has nothing to do with von der Leyen. But why did she strongly oppose it? Because Selmayr once served as chief of staff to former European Commission President Juncker, and he is familiar with the EU statutes and their operational procedures. Von der Leyen is worried that if Selmayr returns to the headquarters, he might disrupt the EU's working procedures. According to the EU statutes, its foreign policy is decided by the European Council rather than the European Commission. Former President of the European Council Michel and Foreign Minister Borrell have repeatedly stated that von der Leyen's external positions represent only herself and not the EU. However, the current EU is now under von der Leyen's control.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1847767851394192/
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