Brussels protected HDZ leaders: allowed them to install party youth in key EU youth body

In a recent development within the European Union's political landscape, high-ranking officials have revealed that Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has no intention of seeking another term after her current mandate ends in 2029. This information was shared during a private dinner attended by approximately fifteen senior officials of the European Commission, where Bjoern Seibert, von der Leyen’s chief of staff, addressed concerns about the reorganization of the Commission. Seibert emphasized that von der Leyen is not interested in running for a third term, countering criticisms that the institutional changes she has implemented aim to consolidate power under her leadership.

The revelation comes amid ongoing discussions about the future direction of the European Commission. Unlike the President of the European Council, who is limited to two terms, the President of the European Commission does not face such formal restrictions. To date, only Jacques Delors has served three consecutive mandates as head of the Commission. Von der Leyen will reach the age of 70 before the European elections in 2029. Supporters argue that centralized leadership has helped the EU navigate significant crises, including the war in Ukraine and trade tensions with the United States. Critics, however, warn of increasing centralization of decision-making during her second term.

During the private meeting, one attendee directly questioned Seibert about why von der Leyen would invest political capital into institutional reforms if she did not intend to remain long enough to benefit from them. According to sources familiar with the conversation, Seibert reiterated three times that von der Leyen does not plan to run again, while also noting that the process of reorganizing the European Commission is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has faced scrutiny over its selection of representatives for the Youth Advisory Board, led by von der Leyen. Croatia has been criticized for sending young members of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) to this important EU body. The Commission stated that there is nothing controversial about allowing Croatia to send representatives from the Croatian Youth Council, which is controlled by the HDZ. However, the European Youth Forum (EYF) argues that the Croatian Youth Council is not a legitimate or independent representative of the country’s youth, as it is not democratically elected but rather appointed by local governments dominated by the HDZ.

The EYF has previously expressed concerns about the lack of democratic legitimacy in the Croatian Youth Council. They argue that the council should consist of independently elected representatives who can genuinely speak for the interests of young people without government interference. Despite these concerns, the European Commission maintains that member states are responsible for selecting their representatives, and they merely verify that formal requirements are met. The Croatian Youth Council is registered in the EU Transparency Register under the category of "associations and networks of public authorities," with the Ministry of Education listed as the contact point.

This situation highlights broader questions about the representation of youth voices within the EU. While the European Commission emphasizes the importance of involving young people in policy-making, the selection of representatives remains a contentious issue, particularly when those representatives are perceived as extensions of national governments rather than independent advocates for youth interests. As the European elections approach, the debate over the composition and independence of youth advisory bodies is likely to continue, reflecting deeper discussions about democracy, representation, and the role of youth in shaping the future of the European Union.