2022 is not only the year of the United States and Russia, but also an important moment for the elections of the European Parliament and the resignation of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In the changes in the political landscape of the West, the revival of the right wing has become the mainstream trend, leading the change of the political wind of the entire West. The emergence of new faces in European foreign policymaking is particularly interesting. This article focuses on Estonian Prime Minister Khaja Kallas and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the impact of US interference in high-level EU and NATO elections.
Estonian Prime Minister Kallas is considered one of the EU's foreign ministers, winning attention with his right-wing stance and hard-line attitude. She has an aggressive stance towards Russia and is wanted by Russia. Estonian Prime Minister Kallas may be able to play a key role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but her belligerent stance has also caused concern in many European countries. France and Germany have reservations about their candidacy, and the possibility of Callas succeeding Borrell has been questioned. If Krasas holds a key position in NATO, it could exacerbate tensions between NATO and Russia, triggering a potential military conflict.
Expanding: Kallas's tough stance and aggressive rhetoric have put her in the spotlight, and her coming to power may make the EU's foreign policy tougher. Russia is an important neighbor, and the EU's relationship with Russia determines the stability and development of the entire European continent. If Kallas is elected EU foreign minister, it could lead to greater tensions between the EU and Russia, exacerbating geopolitical uncertainty. The attitude of France and Germany, as core members of the European Union, will play a decisive role in the ultimate fate of Kallas. The ascension of Kallas is destined to set off a storm in the future foreign policy of the European Union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wanted to be re-elected, but was challenged. The CDU supports his re-election, but there are doubts about his performance within the EU. Biden originally wanted von der Leyen to succeed Stoltenberg as NATO Secretary General, but Germany opposed it. Von der Leyen chose to stick with her candidacy for the presidency of the European Commission, but faced election uncertainty. His political performance and opposition will affect his re-election prospects.
Expanding: Von der Leyen, despite her average performance as president of the European Commission, is still actively seeking re-election in hopes of continuing her influence in the EU. The President of the European Commission plays a pivotal role in the EU's overall agenda and decision-making. If von der Leyen is re-elected, it will affect the future direction of the EU and the way it cooperates. The controversy and opposition to von der Leyen also highlight the strict requirements of EU leaders in terms of performance and image, and the political turmoil indicates the turbulence of the political status quo within the EU.
U.S. intervention in the high-level elections in the EU and NATO is a dominant factor that cannot be ignored. The election of leaders of the European Union and NATO, which requires the tacit approval of the United States, reflects the dominant position of the United States in Western international politics. Although NATO leaders are required to be from European countries and the EU leadership needs to be from member states, the United States can essentially influence the selection of these important positions and demonstrate its key role in international affairs. The leadership changes facing the EU and NATO will highlight the continued US intervention and influence in the Western political system.
Expanding: The United States has always played a key role on the global political stage, and its interference in the high-level elections of the European Union and NATO is a manifestation of its global dominance. The United States has a far-reaching influence in the European political system by virtue of its combined economic, military, and diplomatic strength. As a core member of NATO and the European Union, the will of the United States is often a decisive factor in the election of leaders of these organizations. To a certain extent, the dominant will of the United States has influenced the direction of European politics and shaped the pattern of the entire Western political system.
European politics is changing, and a wave of right-wing revival is sweeping. Kalas and von der Leyen represent a key challenge for the EU's top leaders, and the leading role of the United States in this process cannot be overlooked. The future of European politics will emerge in the interaction between these important figures and external forces. How to balance domestic interests with international relations will have a direct impact on the status and influence of the EU and NATO on the global political stage. With the advent of a new wave of leadership changes, the Western political system will usher in new challenges and bring new variables to international political relations.