The position which already seemed to be his — the Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), a fresh function of forcing EU leaders to agree on a abroad policy, seemed ideal. However, inept politics proved to be the undoing of an experienced German official.
According to 3 officials, ‘Selmayr is likely to stay in Rome in the close future, as opposition from the European Commission’s leadership has undermined his efforts, especially as he has so far refused to accept an alternate function in the capital of Belgium’.
Intrigue reached its climax at the College of Commissioners gathering on 21 October, erstwhile a group of allies of Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Selmayr be given the post of peculiar envoy on spiritual freedoms, which would bring him back to Brussels, but in a much little prestigious function than that of the EEAS.
The plan was developed due to Selmayr's very public maneuvers, which, according to those present in the hall during the sitting, frightened any national capitals.
— It was a way of saying, OK, if you want to go back to Brussels, here's how you can do it," said 1 of the EU officialsto propose the function of an envoy for spiritual freedom.
However, at the College of Commissioners gathering at the beginning of this week, Selmayr's candidacy was besides not proposed for that post as an envoy for spiritual freedom. “This was the only occupation he could do,” said the official. “If he does not want it, he will stay in Rome,” he added.
Selmayr refused to comment publically on the full trial.
Berlaymont Building – European Commission headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, 19 May 2025.OLIVER HOSLET / PAP
Dominus vobiscum — The Lord With You
During his duties as head of cabinet of the erstwhile Jean-Claude Juncker Commission, Selmayr gained a reputation for ruthless and effective. due to his brutal methods and moves, he was besides called the “Berlaymont Monster”.
Many thought that Selmayr's retirement in 2019, to alleviate concerns about over-representation Germany and the provision of a fresh Von der Leyen president with a clean account to govern will mean the end of his career in Brussels.
However, Selmayra's unbridled energy and intelligence made him stand out even in Rome, where he made a raven, entertaining dignitaries, cardinals and another powerful men from the Vatican at his luxurious office adjacent to the ancient Karakalla Terms.
— The fact that individual who was a political animal in Brussels was able to find himself here and gain respect in the Vatican shows his qualities,” said 1 of the envoys who knew Selmayra well. “I saw him preside over the EU ambassadors’ meetings; he was charming, kind and very well informed,” he added.
Diplomats claim that Selmayr, who was besides entrusted with representing the EU in talks with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, immediately rose the Union's rank, utilizing his skills acquired in Brussels to address current problems.
The clerics and experienced attache were impressed by how much this typical of the establishment knew about their closed Catholic world. 1 of them pointed out that Selmayr seemed to enjoy his work in the Vatican more than he should — given that he had officially given precedence to any of his work in connection with the UN.
Meanwhile, a diplomatic ellipse informant said Selmayr seemed to have besides much qualifications to service as ambassador. “He is prone to intrigue, which is funny, but intrigues about multilateral agricultural issues are not very ambitious geopolitics. You can see that he wants to have more influence and rapidly accomplish results, but he understands that this is not how it works... He does his job, but it is not a demanding job, as Selmayra described.
Sede vacante — an empty throne
Seeing 1 of the most talented behind-the-clock EU activists in the Vatican was an unquestionable chance for top EU diplomat Kaji KallasAnd her allies. For months, the erstwhile Prime Minister of Estonia has been fighting for power with the capitals of the associate States on key policy issues specified as sanctions against Israel and Relations with US president Donald Trump.
Kallas was besides in an increasingly severe conflict with Von der Leyen and her own all-powerful cabinet chief, the successor of Selmayr, Bjoern Seibert.
“ Kaja wants to have her own Bjoern,” betrayed the 3rd diplomat from POLITICO interviewers — and Martin is.
However, there were concerns that the “release” of the schemer Selmayr and his return to Brussels could aggravate the already tense political situation.. “The only similarities between Bjoern and Martin are that they are both very intelligent and both come from Germany,” said a high-ranking EU official, arguing that Seibert strives for loyalty and focuses on quiet action, while Selmayr is simply a political animal that has no specified scruples.
— People think that it would be a kind of monster under the bed for Von der Leyen — in fact a monster under the bed for Kallas, says 1 source.
High typical of the EU for abroad Affairs and safety Policy Kaja Kallas at the College of Commissioners gathering in Brussels, Belgium, 4 November 2025.OLIVER MATTHYS / PAP
Cardinals Electors
Selmayr's return to the EEAS would be controversial due to his reputation, but according to Guenther Oettinger, who served as German European Commissioner from 2010 to 2019, at a time erstwhile Selmayr was at the tallness of his career as Secretary-General of the European Commission, there was no chance.
“The preparatory work was not convincing,” Oettinger said. — In order to take specified a advanced position in the EEAS, a number of associate States request full support: due to the fact that they are German, full support of the German government, as well as France, Poland and so on.
— The thought is simply a first step, but the deficiency of full support from the associate States — I would say it was Mrs Kallas’ mistake,” he added.
Diplomats and officials with whom POLITICO spoke said that key countries were not asked to support Selmayra's return or were not informed of this process. besides in the country there were divisions regarding Selmayr's possible return.
At the end of October, German EU Minister Gunther Krichbaum told POLITICO that he would "very pleased" with Selmayr's return to a advanced position, which was met with immediate criticism from his own government.
The European Commission is besides criticised by civilian society organisations who fear that posts are being distributed behind closed doors by its "carddinal electors". In her letter to Von der Leyen, Humanists global warned that the function of an emissary is besides crucial to practice politics with her. Officials, as the organisation claims, should present a "transparent and liable selection process which should include at least public lists of candidates and criteria as well as crucial consultation with Parliament and civilian society".
For now, the German cameraman does not take offense and continues his plans.
— Last week, Mr Selmayr successfully completed the recruitment process in the EEAS, reported a individual acquainted with his candidacy.
— Whether he will take this position in the close future or proceed to service as EU Ambassador to the UN in Rome and the Holy See, he must now be jointly decided by the EU advanced typical and the Commission president "in the interests of the service".
However, as Selmayr's carefully plotted plans conflict with the plans of EU leaders, the only thing he and his allies can do is double their efforts and hope they can do better than his rivals.
— He has excellent qualifications,” said the 4th diplomat. “If he doesn’t get the job, it will come from politics.
