Former EU Top Official Accuses Von der Leyen of Autocratic Rule

In an interview with The Brussels Times, former European Council President Charles Michel strongly criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accusing the Commission of overstepping its authority. He argued that the institution is trying to "take control", which he said is not in line with the European treaties.

Michel also revisited the 2021 "Sofagate" incident during a visit to Ankara, where he and von der Leyen held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. No seat had been prepared for von der Leyen, who ended up sitting on a sofa. Michel maintained that protocol had been followed but that the Commission used the situation to its advantage.

He also used the term "authoritarian governance" to describe the institution's leadership, suggesting that some commissioners were being sidelined.

In the same interview, Michel reflected on his tenure during the pandemic, the attacks in Brussels and the war in Ukraine, arguing that his emphasis on strategic autonomy and competitiveness had subsequently proved justified.

On Belgium, he drew attention to the need for national unity in the face of growing external pressures, likening the country to a latte. "You can try to separate the coffee and the milk. But it doesn't work", he said.

(max)