EU's Geopolitical Challenge: Rethinking Power Projection

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for the European Union to project power more assertively due to increasing threats. She questioned whether the EU's current systems and institutions, established in a postwar era, enhance or undermine its geopolitical credibility.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the European Union to adopt a more assertive stance in projecting power on the global stage. Her comments reflect growing concerns over the EU's reliance on a "rules-based" system, which may no longer suffice against complex threats.

Speaking at a conference for EU ambassadors, von der Leyen stressed the importance of evaluating whether the EU's current doctrine and institutions, originally crafted in the postwar era, are fit for purpose in today's rapidly changing world.

She raised critical questions about the EU's decision-making framework, highlighting the urgent need to determine if the existing systems are aiding or hindering its credibility as a geopolitical actor.