16.09.2026 On the eve of Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address, Charles Michel is highly critical of the European Commission President. Speaking to Jim Nejman on the podcast *Quel monde*, the former President of the European Council notably decries Europe’s lack of ambition. (Image: archive June 2021)
« Pas à la hauteur » : Charles Michel critique Ursula von der Leyen à la veille de son discours annuel https://t.co/XIMHJDpQLf
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On the eve of Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech, Charles Michel does not mince his words. The former Belgian Prime Minister and former President of the European Council takes a very critical look at the action of the President of the European Commission. Between the former President of the European Council and the President of the Commission, relations were conflictual for five years. Now freed from his duty of reserve, Charles Michel takes an uncompromising look at the results of Ursula von der Leyen. A report by Sébastien Rosenfeld.
El expresidente del Consejo Europeo Charles Michel cargó este martes contra Ursula von der Leyen, en la víspera de que la presidenta de la Comisión Europea abra el curso político comunitario con su gran discurso ante la Eurocámara.https://t.co/6SQ4tp2qY5
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Tensions between the two European leaders are nothing new. One particular incident stands out: “Sofagate” in 2021. During a visit to Turkey, Charles Michel took a seat next to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, leaving Ursula von der Leyen without a chair beside them. According to the Belgian leader, the Commission President exploited the incident for her own ends.
No longer holding a European office, Charles Michel takes a harsh view of the Commission President’s performance. “This Commission President is not up to the task,” he declares sharply.
“A great deal of energy goes into communication that is somewhat superficial,” he laments. The former EU official insists that his assessment goes beyond any potential personal rivalry: “I see today that the conclusion I draw is a widely shared one. That clearly shows there is no personal animosity.”
Charles Michel is particularly critical of the way the European Union responded to the trade deal imposed by Donald Trump.
“I find it sad that Europeans showed such weakness,” he says. In his view, “the European Commission bears an absolutely overwhelming responsibility.”
Conversely, the former President of the European Council points to the Canadian Prime Minister as an example on the international stage—an approach he believes the European Union should emulate more closely.
“The Canadian Prime Minister is an international figure who is blazing a trail that I find interesting,” he asserts.
However, Charles Michel acknowledges some progress made by the Commission, particularly regarding carbon issues. Yet his overall assessment remains harsh: “I believe that the European Union—and please don’t say I’m being negative about this Commission again—is missing the boat.”
Tomorrow, Michel will not be in the chamber in Strasbourg, as he no longer holds a European office. However, he will listen closely to Ursula von der Leyen’s speech. And judging by his criticisms, he is unlikely to be convinced.
