Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party, suggests merging the functions of Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa to create a strong European president, emphasizing the need for cohesion in the EU's foreign policy.

In an interview with Der Spiegel, Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party, proposed merging the current functions of Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa after the 2029 elections, to create a "strong European face." Weber emphasized that the EU has failed to play a significant role in recent crises, such as those in Ukraine and Greenland, and mentioned the confusion among international partners regarding who is responsible for certain issues. He advocated for strengthening cooperation in foreign policy, proposing a "treaty of sovereignty" that would allow member states to collaborate more effectively, without the constraints of the unanimity principle. Weber suggested that, in the event of peace in Ukraine, there should be common European forces for maintaining peace, as part of a European army.