Round table discussant

The von der Leyen Commission had to face unforeseen challenges. The fight against climate change (Green Deal and Fit-for-55) and the support of the fight against Russian war of aggression in Ukraine are two examples of major cross-sectoral policy challenges. To deal with these challenges, the Commission President has mobilized unprecedented political steering power. The key argument is that von der Leyen recognised the thematic interlinkages implied by these challenges and used them to expand and legitimise centralisation within the Commission. In the same way, her leadership role was accepted by the member states.