EU pushes major overhaul of its diplomatic service amid leadership jealousies

In a significant development for European Union foreign policy machinery, France, Germany, and several other member states are actively discussing a far-reaching reform of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the bloc’s 15-year-old diplomatic arm, according to a scoop by the Financial Times.

The proposals include curbing the powers of High Representative Kaja Kallas, reflecting growing frustration over coordination, effectiveness, and leadership in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.

The EEAS, with an annual budget of roughly €1 billion, was established under the Lisbon Treaty to give the EU a more unified voice on the global stage. Critics argue it has fallen short, often overshadowed by national capitals and internal Brussels rivalries. The FT reports highlight member states’ push to realign the service more closely with national interests while improving operational delivery.

Spotlight on leadership friction: Kallas vs. von der Leyen

A key undercurrent in these reform talks involves high-level personal and institutional dynamics, particularly between Kaja Kallas and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Multiple reports point to a pattern of competition for media attention and policy visibility rather than seamless teamwork.

Von der Leyen has increasingly positioned the Commission as a central player in foreign policy crises – from sanctions and trade to security initiatives – sometimes stepping into areas traditionally led by the High Representative and EEAS. This has created visible friction, with diplomats describing an “evident” rivalry fuelled by competing centres of power.

Observers note that both leaders frequently appear in parallel announcements and high-profile trips, vying for the limelight. Instead of a unified “one voice” approach, the dynamic can resemble a contest for headlines. Kallas, known for her blunt and hawkish style on issues like Russia and China, has been described in some analyses as an “attack dog” who opens debates, allowing von der Leyen to play the constructive negotiator.

However, this division of labor has not always translated into smooth coordination.

Flashpoints include the Commission establishing its own intelligence capabilities and formats (such as a “Security College”) that mirror or duplicate EEAS structures. Kallas has publicly downplayed power struggles, but behind-the-scenes reports suggest ongoing tensions over who truly steers the EU’s response to global events.

These issues echo earlier strains in EU foreign policy leadership trios (von der Leyen, previous HR/VP Josep Borrell, and European Council President Charles Michel), where personal ambitions and institutional turf battles often undermined coherence.

Broader context and implications

Reform discussions come as the EU faces multiple challenges: the ongoing war in Ukraine, transatlantic uncertainties, Middle East tensions, and assertive competition from China. Member states appear keen to streamline the EEAS to avoid duplication, enhance agility, and ensure EU diplomacy better serves collective interests rather than individual profiles.

Kallas, a former Estonian Prime Minister with a strong anti-Russia stance, brought high expectations to the role. Yet early assessments suggest she has struggled against institutional headwinds, defensive member states, and the gravitational pull of the Commission presidency.

What some see as Kallas’s defining strength – her uncompromising stance toward Russia and relative faith in the transatlantic relation – is increasingly viewed as a potential liability. Regarded by critics as something of a one-trick pony on the Russia portfolio, her hardline posture, though resonant today, may leave her poorly positioned to assume the role of credible negotiator with Moscow when the cycle of confrontation gives way to the imperative of dialogue.

Whether the proposed overhaul leads to a genuine strengthening of EU foreign policy – or further centralisation under von der Leyen – remains to be seen. For now, the Financial Times reporting underscores a clear message from key capitals: Brussels diplomacy needs fixing, and leadership alignment is part of the equation.

With the FT

Caption: (L-R) European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas attend a lunch with regional partners at an informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government in Lefkosia, Cyprus, 24 April 2026. EU leaders are expected to address the current geopolitical developments and Europe’s response to it. EPA/GEORGE CHRISTOFOROU