Signal Berlaymont: A weekly roundup of major EU policy events

This week in Brussels:

As a result of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s willingness to work with her, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni has ended up in the centre of the Brussels power game. Whether a von der Leyen – Meloni majority will materialise in the European Parliament is questionable however. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated he will refuse to rely on support beyond the “traditional parties” in the upcoming EP vote on the new EU Commission President.

Also in Brussels, European Commissioner from Luxembourg Nicolas Schmit revealed von der Leyen did not consult her Commission colleagues about deals with Tunisia and Egypt. “We are not a presidential system,” he complained.

Then, on a state visit to Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed doubling the EU budget, and the Belgian EU Presidency presented its updated plan for EU “chat control”, proposing users of messaging services like WhatsApp no longer be able to send images in case they refuse chat surveillance. 

Von der Leyen’s second term in trouble due to outreach to Meloni

Ahead of the European Parliament elections from June 6-9, France's Marine Le Pen (National Rally and ID) offered to Italian PM Georgia Meloni (whose Fratelli d'Italia sits with the ECR) to form a right-wing super group in the European Parliament. Together “we can become the second-largest group in the European Parliament”, said Le Pen. Meloni kept silent with regards to the invitation, though stating she expects the long-standing coalition between the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) to be challenged. “Today, there is room to build a different majority in the European Parliament and for different policies,” she declared. 

On Monday, von der Leyen repeated she is open to working with Meloni, however again rejecting cooperation with Le Pen. An ECR insider remarked: “Meloni will not easily team up with Le Pen and cut herself off power and influence.” A member of the ID group commented anonymously this all means that “if Meloni has the choice, she will choose the most useful path for Italy. Now, Le Pen offers a backup plan.” 

The Financial Times meanwhile reports Von der Leyen’s attempt to obtain a second term is in trouble as a result of her outreach to Meloni. Not only have the Socialist and Renew groups threatened to block her bid if she works with Meloni, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated “the only way to establish a Commission presidency will be to base it on the traditional parties.”

Furthermore, France reportedly supports giving Italy's former Prime Minister Mario Draghi an EU top job, but French MEP Pascal Canfin, an ally of Macron, conceded: "There's no easy way to get there". Draghi would need to be nominated by Meloni. In other “top job” speculation, according to reports, the socialist group is aiming to obtain the EU Council Presidency top job currently occupied by Charles Michel.

French President Macron proposes doubling the EU budget

During Macron's state visit to Germany, he and Scholz together proposed enhancing the EU's competitiveness through innovation, investment, and reducing bureaucracy. In a joint FT article, they write: “One of Europe’s greatest competitive strengths is the single market. (...) We need to reap its full benefits with a modernised single market, reducing fragmentation and barriers, fostering connectivity, enhancing skills, promoting mobility and convergence.”

On top of this, Macron proposed "let's double our European budget," suggesting to do this by either by common borrowing or using existing instruments. In an analysis of Macron's visit to Germany, Le Monde comments that "relations between the European Union's two economic and political powerhouses are in decline."

European Commissioner reveals von der Leyen did not consult colleagues about deals with Tunisia and Egypt 

Nicolas Schmit, socialist European Commissioner for Luxembourg, has revealed that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has "never consulted us about the Tunisia and Egypt agreement [aimed at stopping illegal migration]. There was no discussion at the college of commissioners. If there was, I would have absolutely voted against it. I can not agree with this way of managing the college... We are not a presidential system”.  

Separately, press reports reveal that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen failed to disclose she was behind a Google advertising campaign worth €70,000, alleging that this “violated European Union rules endorsed during her time leading the EU executive.”

Updated EU “chat control” proposal envisions users will no longer be able to send WhatsApp images in case they refuse chat surveillance

The Belgian EU Presidency came up with an updated proposal for a new EU regulation to monitor chat apps. Reportedly, users' consent would now be required for authorities to monitor WhatsApp and Signal messages but anyone who does not agree will no longer be able to send images. Earlier this month, hundreds of scientists warned that this EU plan for “chat control” "creates unprecedented capabilities for surveillance and control of internet users”. It is intended to bypass encryption in the fight against child sexual abuse images, whereby messaging apps would be forced to scan messages to detect CSAM (child sexual abuse material).