France’s President Emmanuel Macron is positioning to support Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the European Union’s next chief diplomat, according to Politico‘s sources.
The high representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy, currently held by Spain’s Josep Borrell, chairs meetings of EU foreign, defense and development ministers, representing the bloc at international forums like the G7 and G20. With Borrell set to step down during the upcoming reshuffle of top EU jobs, several officials have their sights on the prestigious position, including Belgium’s Alexander De Croo and Sophie Wilmès, Luxembourg’s Xavier Bettel, Poland’s Radek Sikorski, Ireland’s Micheál Marti, and Estonia’s Kaja Kallas. The centrist Renew group is expected to nominate Borrell’s successor.
Three French officials confirmed to Politico that Macron’s office has been eyeing Kallas, citing a “good understanding” between the two leaders and shared viewpoints, yet the French president is keeping his options open, according to them. A Renew aide described Kallas as a “strong personality” and “strong voice” within the group.
“Macron has energetically backed Kallas’ proposal to create a defense industry fund,” the Politico report stated.
Estonian sources also relayed to Politico that Macron gave an early nod to Kallas for the role this year. The two leaders met in Paris recently, with Kallas praising Macron’s speech on Europe’s future as “very, very good.”
However, Kallas’ candidacy is not assured. Some EU members distrust the Baltic nations’ strident rhetoric toward Russia and fear Kallas would neglect other global issues beyond the Russo-Ukrainian war.
“We need someone who talks also about Africa, or South America, and not just about Russia,” a southern European diplomat told Politico.
Read also:
- France, US aim for G7 approval of $50 bn Solidarity Fund for Ukraine
- Borrell: Russia is the most existential threat to Europe
- Estonian PM refuses to rule out sending Estonian Forces to Ukraine
- Estonian PM: NATO training Ukraine’s army inside Ukraine poses no risk of conflict with Russia
- Estonian PM Kaja Kallas names reason why Ukraine is not supported enough: fear
- Putin “afraid” of war with NATO, Estonian PM says
- Estonia to allocate GDP’s 0.25% to Ukraine’s defense in next four years
