Brussels 21.04.2026 Charles Michel led the European Council for five years. In his interview to Brussels Times he is reflecting upon his experiences, and offers his vision of the state of the European Union, and the leadership.
“I have my own opinion about her (Ursula von der Leyen) personality and it is not my intention today to comment on personalities.” But then he adds: “Never before have I had such a difficult working relationship with a colleague. Never.”

Ursula von der Leyen runs ‘super authoritarian’ EU machine, former top Brussels chief claims

Charles Michel accuses the European Commission president of centralising power in Brussels, saying her leadership has turned EU governance into a “super authoritarian” system where… pic.twitter.com/h3LjPNtX81

— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) April 21, 2026

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According to Michel, that is not a personal attack. “This is not about personality, this is about the importance of the European project.”

“There is an extremely authoritarian policy in place” Michel continues. “Commission members no longer play any role whatsoever.”
According to Michel, Von der Leyen also misinterprents her position: “She is supposed to be working for the European single market. Nothing has happened. She is supposed to be working for the financial markets. Nothing has happened. In that area, the result is zero, and that is a tragedy. I am strict. I am cruel. Because I have seen it from the inside.”

The relationship reached a low point due to the Sofagate stunt. During a visit to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2021, two chairs were set out. Erdogan and Michel took their seats close to each other, while Von der Leyen was offered seats opposite the top diplomat Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. She accused Michel of sexism, but in reality “The protocol was perfectly respected. The Commission used the incident to consolidate more power.” One more feature to the portrait of von der Leyen, poining to her gluttonous appetite for power, and lamelight.

NEW — Turkish officials blame rivalry among EU leaders for 'sofa gate'

• Officials: It was EU delegation's fault President Ursula von der Leyen wasn't given a seat

• Michel’s team met Turkish officials and agreed on the seating arrangement https://t.co/hmXGhM6ube

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) April 7, 2021

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Charles Michel, 50, is a Belgian politician who served as the president of the European Council from 2019 to 2024. He previously served as the prime minister of Belgium between 2014 and 2019.