European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been accused of running a “super authoritarian governance” by former European Council President Charles Michel.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Brussels Times this week, Michel said the Commission under von der Leyen was taking “more institutional power” beyond its remit, and described a leadership style in which “Commissioners have absolutely no role anymore.”
Michel made the remarks while reflecting on his often fraught relationship with von der Leyen during their time leading the EU institutions, which began following their joint appointment at a summit in July 2019.
He pointed to the so-called “Sofagate” incident in April 2021, when both leaders met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and were presented with only two chairs – one for the Turkish leader and one for a European. Michel took the chair, leaving von der Leyen relegated to a sofa off to the side.
Von der Leyen herself later attributed this to sexism.
Describing the aftermath of that episode, Michel claimed the European Commission used the controversy to expand its influence.
“Everyone knows and has seen how the Commission decided to instrumentalise this incident to try to grab more power, more institutional power, and to get involved in things that are not the responsibility of the Commission,” he said.
He argued that the incident formed part of a broader pattern of institutional overreach by the Commission into areas typically considered the domain of the European Council, such as defence, foreign affairs, and more.
“Today, the Commission is trying to take control,” he said.
“That’s not in line with the treaty.”
Turning to von der Leyen’s leadership more broadly, Michel was sharply critical of her approach and priorities, arguing that she had centralised power.
“There is a super authoritarian governance,” he said.
“Commissioners have absolutely no role anymore.”
He claimed that key responsibilities of the Commission had not been adequately addressed.
“She is supposed to work on the defence of the single market,” he said.
“Nothing has been done. She is supposed to work on the financial markets. Nothing has been done,” he said.
“In this field, the result is zero, and that is a tragedy.”
He added that his assessment was shaped by his experience within the institutions, and that he had seen it “from the inside.”
The European Commission is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and upholding EU treaties, while the European Council, composed of member state leaders, generally sets the bloc’s overall political direction.
Tensions between the two bodies have been a recurring feature of EU governance, particularly during periods of crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit negotiations.