It seems that he has put it into full effect Charles Michel his plan to block a second term for her Ursula von der Leyen from the helm of the EU. According to Politico his plan includes, among other things, removing it from discussions concerning its powers and future prospects.

In talks with EU leaders and their aides, the president of the European Council proposed exclude the head of the European Commission from a meeting to be held on June 17; during which the heads of state and government will discuss the EU’s top tasks, European diplomats and officials told Politico.

THE tough competition that exists between Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, with the first signs appearing in the scandal known as “Sofagate”, has been causing for many years embarrassment in the EU.

“The countries members are increasingly irritated by the role of Charles Michel in the selection process for the President of the Commission”, an EU diplomat said. “Seems to be driven by purely personal motives” he said.

Who will attend the June 17 meeting is up to Charles Michel comments Politico as it is an informal summit.

Diplomats and officials argue that there is a strong reaction from European capitals against Michel’s proposal and his rivalry with von der Leyen adds to the irritation. Several European capitals believe that Michel will “duell” with von der Leyen to the end until he excludes her from a possible second term as head of the Commission.

In talks with EU leaders and his aides, Michel suggested that von der Leyen be excluded from the meeting because she is also the main candidate for the European People’s Party and is eyeing a second term as head of the European Commission.

Leaders must agree on the next presidents of the European Commission, the European Council (Michel’s current job) and the European Parliament (although Parliament votes for its own leadership) as well as the next foreign policy chief. Some suspect that Charles Michel is devising a plan to enter the race for top jobs as the next EU foreign policy chief.

“If he wants to eliminate her from the room, he will have to eliminate himself,” said one EU diplomat.

“There is some irritation,” another diplomat said of Charles Michel’s intentions. And that irritation exists both in von der Leyen’s office and among the leaders, a second diplomat said.