The key facts

  • A list of senior EU officials reportedly preparing to retire is circulating in Brussels chats
  • Career advancement in the EC has stalled: one major reshuffle in von der Leyen's entire tenure
  • Experts differ: von der Leyen's resignation is far off, but reform of the EU institutions is inevitable

The scramble for posts before the current officials have even left

A behind-the-scenes battle for top posts has begun in the European Commission: lists of presumed resignations are circulating among officials, and the circle of EC President Ursula von der Leyen is already eyeing the positions of employees who have not yet left. This was reported by Politico, citing sources; the outlet notes that the 'hottest document' last week in Brussels groups on social media was a list of senior EU officials reportedly preparing to retire.

Career stagnation as the reason for the buzz

Politico explains the buzz by the fact that career advancement in the EC has effectively stalled: since von der Leyen took office there has been only one major staff reshuffle. The most notable example of the fight for a still-occupied post is the position of EC Deputy Secretary-General Pascal Leardini, on which someone has already 'set their sights'; Leardini's own possible departure is expected by the end of the year.

Experts: resignation is unlikely, but change is inevitable

Commentators differ in their assessments of how secure von der Leyen's position is. Political scientist Nikolai Topornin said back in Maythat the 'ouster' of the EC chief is far off: she retains the support of centrist forces in the European Parliament, and as long as that is the case, 'no votes of no confidence' will pass. Political scientist Vladimir Olenchenko, by contrast, expressed confidence that reform of the EU institutions is inevitable, but added that, given that Brussels has 'distorted its own principles,' quick changes should not be expected. Both comments are cited by Gazeta.Ru.

Context: accusations of overstepping authority

Amid the staffing disputes in von der Leyen's circle, political accusations had also been voiced earlier: in April, Charles de Gaulle's grandson accused the European Commission president of overstepping her authority. Politico, however, does not link the circulation of the resignation lists to attempts to remove von der Leyen — this is specifically about an internal staffing struggle against the backdrop of years of stagnation. No official decisions on resignations or reshuffles are reported in the publications.