an elected European president.. “We must stop commenting on every tweet from Washington and finally lead from a European perspective” he told “Der Spiegel”. Weber proposes that, after the next European elections, the roles of Commission president and Council president be combined. He cites Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa as examples but says a stronger, European‑level face would be preferable.
“We need a powerful figure-a European President-who can represent the Union at the highest level”.
Weber also stresses the need for a new EU enlargement wave. “The Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine should belong to a united Europe” he said. Greenland and Iceland have also expressed interest.
In addition, Weber advocates for a new foundational treaty, modeled on the Euro and Schengen, that would give EU member states a stronger, more unified foreign and security policy. “The current treaties bind us to a unanimity principle in foreign affairs” he explained, noting that this slows the EU. “A new treaty-an act of sovereignty-would allow willing states to work together more effectively”. He said the “designers” of this proposal must lead the way.
“We would turn the tables. Viktor Orbán in Hungary or Robert Fico in Slovakia would no longer be able to hold the EU hostage. They would have to explain why they suddenly stand alone”.
“We can illustrate the feasibility through the Euro or Schengen. In both cases, not all EU states participated from the start. We need the same process for foreign and security policy” Weber said.
He hopes leaders such as France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz will join him in this endeavour. For the weekend, Weber has invited a P5‑EU workshop in Zagreb, where figures such as Merz or Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are expected to attend. “There, I want an honest debate. If we agree that Europe should become more independent, we must take the next step” he added.
