Why was Commission president a no-show at Notre Dame?

The Notre Dame Reopening: A Symbol of Unity and Strain in EU-France Relations

The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7, 2024, was a moment of profound cultural and historical significance for France and the world. The event, which came after years of restoration work following the devastating 2019 fire, was not only a celebration of architectural renewal but also a political touchstone. It brought together world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, who made his first visit to Europe after his re-election. However, one notable absence was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Documents obtained by Euronews reveal that von der Leyen’s decision not to attend was communicated to the French government only a few hours before the ceremony began, despite her initial confirmation to attend. This last-minute cancellation has sparked questions about the state of relations between Brussels and Paris.

A Last-Minute Cancellation: Scheduling Issues or Diplomatic Snub?

The official reason provided by the European Commission for von der Leyen’s absence was “scheduling issues.” However, this explanation has been met with skepticism, given the significance of the event and the fact that von der Leyen had previously confirmed her attendance. On December 4, 2024, just three days before the reopening, von der Leyen wrote a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, accepting his invitation to the ceremony. She expressed her eagerness to attend, calling Notre Dame a “monument dear to the hearts of your fellow citizens and of so many citizens around the world.” Her Paris office also confirmed her attendance at a dinner following the reopening service. Yet, on December 6, the day before the event, the Commission’s spokesperson informed the press that von der Leyen would not be attending, citing the aforementioned scheduling conflicts.

The timing of von der Leyen’s cancellation coincided with her unscheduled trip to Montevideo, Uruguay, where she announced the conclusion of trade talks between the EU and the Mercosur bloc. This move was met with strong resistance from Paris, as France has long been wary of the potential impact of such an agreement on its agriculture and environmental policies. The Élysée Palace issued a statement emphasizing that while the Commission had completed negotiations, the agreement had neither been signed nor ratified, leaving room for further discussion and potential revisions. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also criticized the timing of the announcement, suggesting that it was rushed through at a delicate moment following the collapse of Michel Barnier’s government. These developments raise questions about whether von der Leyen’s decision to skip the Notre Dame reopening was influenced by the tense relations with Paris over the Mercosur deal.

Political Tensions and the Mercosur Trade Deal

The Mercosur trade agreement has long been a point of contention between France and the European Commission. France has repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the deal, particularly for its agricultural sector and environmental standards. The timing of von der Leyen’s announcement in Montevideo, just one day before the Notre Dame reopening, has been interpreted by some as a deliberate move to assert the Commission’s independence and authority in trade negotiations. This move, however, appears to have strained relations with Paris, which has always maintained a cautious stance on the deal. The Élysée Palace’s response to the announcement underscored its position, stating, “The Commission completed negotiations with Mercosur [countries]; that is its responsibility. But the agreement has neither been signed nor ratified. So, this is not the end of the story.”

The political backdrop of these events is further complicated by the collapse of Michel Barnier’s government, which created a fragile environment for EU-France relations. Many have speculated that the hurried conclusion of the Mercosur negotiations was, in part, a response to this political instability. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal echoed this sentiment, stating, “In the absence of a government, [Mercosur] negotiations were rushed through on Wednesday evening and concluded today.” This rush to finalize the deal, coupled with von der Leyen’s last-minute cancellation of her attendance at the Notre Dame reopening, has fueled speculation about the broader state of EU-France relations.

A Breakdown in Communication: The Commission’s Handling of the Situation

The way in which the European Commission communicated von der Leyen’s cancellation has also come under scrutiny. While the Commission’s spokesperson initially cited scheduling issues as the reason for her absence, internal documents reveal a more complex timeline. On December 4, von der Leyen had formally accepted Macron’s invitation, and her Paris office confirmed her attendance at a dinner following the reopening ceremony. However, on the afternoon of December 7, just hours before the event was set to begin, the Commission’s Paris office sent a high-importance message to the Élysée’s protocol office, informing them of von der Leyen’s cancellation. The message, which was marked as urgent, simply stated that von der Leyen had “just” canceled her visit to Paris for December 7 and 8, without providing any further explanation.

This last-minute communication has raised eyebrows, particularly given the significance of the event and France’s expectations of von der Leyen’s presence. Two days after the reopening, on December 9, a Commission spokesperson sought to clarify the situation, stating that von der Leyen had never officially confirmed her attendance to the Élysée. “There were scheduling issues that prevented the president from attending,” spokesperson Paula Pinho explained. “There had never been an official confirmation to the Élysée for participation precisely because of looming scheduling issues.” However, this explanation contradicts the earlier letter and confirmation from von der Leyen’s office, leaving many to wonder why the Commission seemed so eager to downplay the cancellation.

Macron’s Response and the Broader Implications for EU-France Relations

The Élysée Palace has not publicly commented on von der Leyen’s absence, but the situation has not gone unnoticed in diplomatic circles. The last-minute cancellation and the conflicting explanations from the Commission have raised questions about the state of EU-France relations. While the Commission has sought to frame von der Leyen’s absence as a result of unavoidable scheduling conflicts, others have interpreted it as a sign of strained relations between Brussels and Paris. This tension is not new; disagreements over issues such as trade policy, climate change, and EU governance have long been points of contention. However, the Mercosur deal and von der Leyen’s cancellation have brought these tensions to the forefront.

The reopening of Notre Dame, an event that was meant to symbolize unity and renewal, has instead become a focal point for these underlying tensions. The Commission’s handling of the situation, particularly its last-minute communication and the contradictory explanations provided, has only served to deepen the mystery surrounding von der Leyen’s absence. As the EU and France navigate this complex political landscape, the events surrounding the Notre Dame reopening serve as a reminder of the challenges inherent in maintaining harmonious relations between the EU’s institutions and its member states.

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity for Unity

The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral was a moment of immense cultural and historical significance, offering a rare opportunity for global leaders to come together in a spirit of unity. However, Ursula von der Leyen’s absence, coupled with the controversy surrounding her cancellation, has overshadowed this moment of celebration. While the European Commission has sought to downplay the significance of her absence, the conflicting explanations and the last-minute communication have only fueled speculation about the broader state of EU-France relations.

As the EU and France move forward, the events surrounding the Notre Dame reopening highlight the need for greater transparency and communication in addressing the challenges that lie ahead. Whether von der Leyen’s absence was truly the result of unavoidable scheduling issues or a more deliberate choice, the situation underscores the complexities of maintaining strong relations between the EU’s institutions and its member states. In the end, the reopening of Notre Dame will be remembered not only as a triumph of restoration and renewal but also as a missed opportunity for unity in a time of growing political strain.