According to David Carretta, the Brussels correspondent for the Italian media outlet Il Foglio, the European Union is currently experiencing a period of internal tension. At the heart of this dispute is a reform proposal signed by Germany and France, which seeks to transfer a significant portion of the European External Action Service (SEAE) back under the authority of the European Commission. The SEAE is the EU’s primary diplomatic body, responsible for representing the Union on the global stage. While this reform may seem like a bureaucratic reshuffling to outsiders, it could have far-reaching consequences for the balance of power within the EU. The proposal is part of a broader power struggle between two of the most influential figures in Brussels: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs. Their disagreements have been a common topic of discussion among diplomats and officials in the EU’s political hub. Von der Leyen has long advocated for greater integration and centralization of EU institutions, while Kallas has resisted moves that might weaken her authority over foreign policy. Kallas, an Estonian politician, currently holds the formal responsibility for the SEAE under the EU treaties. She has expressed concerns that moving the service back under the Commission could erode her influence over EU foreign policy. This tension reflects a deeper debate about how power should be distributed among the EU’s key institutions. While the Commission traditionally oversees internal policies, the High Representative has played a central role in shaping the EU’s external relations. The conflict highlights the complex and often delicate balance of power within the EU. As negotiations continue, the outcome of this reform could have lasting implications for how the EU conducts its foreign policy and manages its internal governance. For now, the situation remains a focal point of political maneuvering in Brussels, with the future direction of the EU’s diplomatic strategy hanging in the balance.