TOP NEWS

The future of the EU
Sources: von der Leyen called a dictator by Kallas

The relationship between EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is reportedly strained, according to sources to Politico.

Kaja Kallas and the role of foreign policy chief have been given less responsibility in recent years. Last year, for example, the Commission established a Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf States, which further reduced her influence. At the same time, the Commission is said to be actively trying to reduce the European External Action Service.

When the Directorate-General was established, Kallas is said to have tried to appoint Martin Selmayr as Deputy Secretary-General of the EEAS, but this was allegedly blocked by von der Leyen.

– Kallas complains privately that von der Leyen is a dictator, but that there is little or nothing she can do about it, says a source.

NATO's future
NATO chief: Europe cannot defend itself without US

Anyone who believes that Europe can defend itself against an attack without US help can "keep dreaming". That's what NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at a meeting with the EU Parliament, Reuters reports.

If Europe forms its own defense alliance without the US, it would play right into the hands of Russia and its President Vladimir Putin, according to Rutte.

- The US will always have a conventional military presence in Europe, he says according to the news agency.

The Secretary General also mentioned the agreement on Greenland that Rutte and Trump reached in Davos. He says that it is partly about NATO taking greater responsibility for Arctic security and partly about Greenland, Denmark and the US having to continue discussions about the territory. 

Political situation in the UK
Former Home Secretary joins Reform UK

Several high-profile politicians in the UK are joining Nigel Farage's party Reform UK.

After MP Robert Jenrick left the Conservatives, the Tories, for Reform UK earlier in January, Tory MP Suella Braverman is now following in the same footsteps, British media reports.

– It feels like I have come home, she says at a Reform UK event.

Suella Braverman was Home Secretary under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.