The reform has set von der Leyen, the favorite to remain as president after her five-year term ends later this year, on a collision course with Europe’s regions. They fear it will result in them receiving less money. In a letter seen by POLITICO, over 100 local bodies accused the Commission chief of a power grab as they are demanding a greater say over the future of cohesion policy.
“Cohesion Policy is at risk,” said Vasco Alves Cordeiro, the president of the European Committee of Regions, a Brussels body that represents local authorities. “We must be careful about the tendencies to nationalize the most successful policy Europe has to build unity and a common sense of belonging between communities across Europe.”
Initially, the Commission did not reply to a request for comment. After this article was first published it responded. It said von der Leyen “is very attached to cohesion policy.”
Less of a priority
While nothing is set in stone, the outline of a deal that could see von der Leyen return as Commission president could be sketched out in time for an informal dinner of EU leaders penciled in for June 17. Any uncertainty about that seems to have been extinguished by French President Emmanuel Macron, who was rumored to be pushing for an alternative but has now been distracted by a snap election.
The perceived power grab came as no surprise to many Brussels insiders.
As the bloc gears up its defense capabilities and braces for a trade war with China, the internal Commission document suggests funding to poorer areas will be off the priority list over the coming years.
