EGN NEWS DESK
Weber is likely one of the most influential folks in Brussels — arguably second solely to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The resolution to nominate Vandenkendelaere was the most recent in a sequence of maneuvers Weber has executed to tighten his grip on the EPP equipment. But Bakolas’ open insubordination is unprecedented.
Looming behind the personnel dispute is a bigger conflict over the course of the EPP, which underneath Weber’s management has cozied as much as hard-right leaders like Giorgia Meloni. The rapprochement — Weber met with Meloni in Rome this summer time — has angered some contained in the EPP who consider the Bavarian politician is yanking the party too far to the fitting.
Weber allies say he’s decided to completely capitalize on the EPP’s rising energy and see its gamers within the EU establishments work extra seamlessly with the nationwide events.
The party’s presidency committee met Monday earlier than the political meeting began. The final result of the assembly was that Weber, as EPP president, would signal a contract that might make Vandenkendelaere his head of Cabinet, in line with an excerpt of a paper circulated and adopted at that assembly, seen by Playbook.
While the EPP group is all about MEPs, the EPP party exists to serve nationwide leaders and events. Bakolas, who’s near Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, seems to be making a raffle that EPP-linked leaders equivalent to Polish PM Donald Tusk, Finnish PM Petteri Orpo and German Christian Democratic Union chief Friedrich Merz will again him and intervene to rein in Weber.
If they don’t, it might solidify Weber’s place because the unassailable EPP prime canine.
