The European Union enjoys enormous political and policymaking power. It is a far cry from a simple trade bloc or other trade unions like the CPTPP, which Britain joined after Brexit. It has an elected chamber, a vast bureaucracy, a common currency, and sweeping power to impose policies on member states. The only other organization in the world where unelected bureaucrats have such power and appear to speak on behalf of a population and economy of such magnitude is the Chinese Communist Party.

That has resulted in a perception around the world that when the European Union speaks, it represents the view of the whole continent of Europe. For example, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's artificial intelligence safety summit. She stood alongside world leaders from countries1 including the UK, USA, and China, and joined them in signing the Bletchley Declaration2, which calls for global cooperation in governing the development of artificial intelligence. But does von der Leyen have the right to sign any document in her capacity? In whose name is she signing?

Von der Leyen has no democratic mandate. She is not elected. She was nominated to her current position in closed meetings of bureaucrats. She represents no population. In fact, she is not even an elected member of the European Parliament. All EU member states have their own elected domestic governments that represent their interests on the world stage.

Von der Leyen does not consult member states or their voters before adopting policy positions or signing declarations on behalf of the EU, such as the Bletchley Declaration. In this case, the document she signed was a relatively harmless promise of cooperation with other countries on the sensible development of artificial intelligence.

However, this is far from the first time the European Commission has behaved as if it speaks for Europe without first ensuring it fairly represents the will of European citizens.

Just as at the AI safety summit, von der Leyen often appears at international meetings alongside elected heads of government, sometimes accompanied by European Council President Charles Michel (also unelected), pretending to represent Europe. From UN events such as COP climate conferences to G7 summits or World Health Organization (WHO) meetings, Brussels bureaucrats are often invited to participate in international gatherings where global policy direction is determined.

The World Health Organization frequently hosts summits of this kind featuring the great and good of the world’s unelected bureaucracies. Its conference of the parties’ summits, known as COP summits, address tobacco control. They feature delegates from around the world who discuss how best to tax and regulate cigarettes, vapes, and other nicotine products. Leaked documents revealed3 that the EU consistently takes a hard line at the summits, pushing for stricter restrictions on products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, despite evidence that they are far less risky than cigarettes4 and represent an invaluable tool that helps smokers quit5.

More than the scientific and policy aspects, what is troubling is the precedent this sets. Regulation of nicotine products should be decided by individual national governments. By what right does the EU replace them? Can we always be sure that Brussels has Europeans' best interests at heart?

For instance, the EU has boasted of creating the "world's first comprehensive artificial intelligence law"6 and joined forces with Lina Khan, an anti-tech activist bureaucrat in the USA who is currently suing Amazon, to take on "big tech.7" There are countless other similar examples of the European Union making dramatic interventions in complex policy areas, resulting in other regulators around the world following in their footsteps.

Can Ursula von der Leyen honestly say that doing such things is merely an integral part of implementing the "European project" and bringing EU nations closer together, which is presumably the purpose of her role? Or is she instead playing at being a world leader and enjoying the attention Washington pays her whilst forcing Apple to change the design of their chargers?

As Europe watched on idly, Brussels quietly granted itself extraordinary and unprecedented political power. By choosing to speak on behalf of the 27 EU member states at key international summits, Ursula von der Leyen's words now carry the weight of nearly half a billion people and a collective economy worth $16 trillion, all without the bother of democratic consent.

Undemocratic governance has become integral to the way Brussels conducts business. The foundations of the European project, namely making EU nations freer and more prosperous, are as worthy as they ever were. Unfortunately, Brussels seems to have forgotten its mission and instead become intoxicated with power. This could lead to division and drive European countries out of the EU.

Ursula von der Leyen and thousands of other high-ranking eurocrats should set aside their personal political ambitions and return to what is best for the continent. If they fail to do so, it will be Europe's citizens who suffer.

References

1 Remarks of President von der Leyen at the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit.
2 The Bletchley Declaration by Countries Attending the AI Safety Summit, 1-2 November 2023.
3 EU bureaucrats plotting to use WHO treaty to sideline European Parliament on tobacco harm reduction.
4 E-cigarettes around 95% less harmful than tobacco estimates landmark review.
5 Brie ng: Electronic Cigarettes.
6 EU AI Act: first regulation on artificial intelligence.
7 State of the European Union 2025.