Get realpolitik? Von der Leyen questions Europe’s faith in rules-based order
The EU must become more realistic and interest-driven to keep up with the new world order, bloc chief says
The EU must decide whether the rules-based international order “is more a help or a hindrance to our credibility as a geopolitical actor”, the bloc’s top official said on Monday, in the strongest sign yet that it might break from decades of rigid adherence to global norms.
“We will always defend and uphold the rules-based system that we helped to build with our allies, but we can no longer rely on it as the only way to defend our interests or assume its rules will shelter us from the complex threats that we face.”
Von der Leyen did not condemn the attacks in her speech, instead saying “there should be no tears shed for the Iranian regime” and speaking of an “existential” and “precarious” moment for Europe.
“We urgently need to reflect on whether our doctrine, our institutions and our decision-making – all designed in a post-war world of stability and multilateralism – have kept pace with the speed of change around us,” von der Leyen said.