Tensions are rising: von der Leyen convenes an emergency meeting of commissioners

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called a meeting of her team of European commissioners in an attempt to ease rising tensions and improve working methods within the College. The meeting, which is not mandatory, is scheduled for February 4 in Leuven, Belgium, and all members of the College have been invited, Politico reports.

The idea for the gathering arose after a series of tense exchanges among commissioners and growing dissatisfaction over delays in delivering key documents. According to Commission officials, the event is intended as a “therapeutic meeting.”

While the main focus will be on EU competitiveness, the agenda also includes discussions on geopolitics and Commission working methods. A special guest will be International Monetary Fund Managing Director and former Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva.

Tensions among commissioners have become apparent in recent months. One trigger was a verbal clash in December between Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera during a discussion on a key environmental document. Conflicts and dissatisfaction were not limited to this pair—they also arose between Executive Vice-President Stephane Sejourne and Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi over the Biotechnology Act.

Officials note that tensions are often built into the structure of the Commission, as executive vice-presidents have coordination and supervisory roles, while all commissioners are formally equal. The Leuven meeting takes place ahead of an informal EU leaders’ retreat on competitiveness, scheduled for February 12.