EU to name a new defence tsar, but doubts remain on the post’s powers

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen promises a designated Defence Commissioner amid doubts over its actual power.

Faced with Russia’s war on Ukraine, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has promised to name a designated Defence Commissioner as a key part of her new top team.

The message is meant to be clear: Europe is serious about rearming.

But while the position was originally billed as central to the EU’s ambitions, there are now major doubts over how much power it will actually have.

That has meant heavyweight EU member states no longer seem so keen to snaffle up the role, set to be unveiled as part of the bloc’s new line-up in the coming days.

“The idea of creating a new position of an exclusive Defence Commissioner reflects the growing importance of defence for Europe today,” Burkard Schmitt, defence and security director at industry association ASD, said.

“While the ambition behind this idea is commendable, the key question is: what would it actually mean in practice?” said Mr. Schmitt, who was speaking in a personal capacity rather than for his organisation.

For now, European Commission President Ms. von der Leyen has been tight-lipped about what exactly the job would entail.