Von der Leyen convenes seminar to address competitiveness and “frustrations”

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will convene her team of European Commissioners for a meeting officially centered on competitiveness, but which is also intended to ease internal tensions within the Commission, several officials told Euronews.

According to the official agenda of the commission, von der Leyen will chair a “college seminar” on competitiveness tomorrow in the Belgian city of Leuven.

The meeting will feature Kristalina Georgieva, the managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The seminar is part of the EU’s push to boost the European economy and accelerate the implementation of the competitiveness report drafted by former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi.

The seminar will add to the work of EU leaders who will meet on 12 February for a “retreat” that will feature Draghi and former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, who is the author of another blueprint on the EU single market.

However, two officials indicated that the meeting will also address the Commission’s “working methods.”

One official described this session as an opportunity to air “frustrations” among commissioners. A key concern, the official added, is the repeated late submission of legislative files to senior officials.