Commission eyes new spy service under von der Leyen

The European Commission is considering establishing its own intelligence service to strengthen the EU’s ability to respond to growing security threats. According to Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin, this reflects an increasingly complex geopolitical environment in which the Union needs both better coordination of information and stronger analytical capabilities.

According to Handelsblatt, the new unit would focus on intelligence gathering and assessment, complementing existing structures in cooperation with the European External Action Service.

The ambition is also to link information from national intelligence services, which would represent a significant shift from the current system. Reinforcing existing institutions, such as the EU Intelligence Centre, is also under discussion.

However, the new body would fall directly under Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, raising questions about the transfer of competences within the Union. At the same time, pressure is growing for greater independence from US intelligence.

(pir)