The campaign to find the new chairperson of the EU’s highest military body, the EU Military Committee (EUMC), has started, with three countries fielding candidates for the post one month before the European election.

The EU’s 27 Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) are expected to elect the future EUMC chair on 15 May, replacing incumbent Austrian General Robert Brieger, who will complete his term in May 2025.

Though the position may not have a high profile, it is critical as the holder advises the EU’s chief diplomat – currently  Josep Borrell – who leads the bloc’s diplomatic service (EEAS).

While the role is not among the top EU jobs, including head of the European Council, Commission, and Parliament, and the top diplomat position, which will change after June’s elections, the race will likely influence the assigning of Commissioner portfolios.

This time around, Russia’s war in Ukraine moved defence policy to the top of the bloc’s agenda, which raised the appeal of the job.

As with previous incumbents, the agenda was also impacted by their own country’s history and tradition, for example, Austria’s Brieger keeping a close eye on the Western Balkans, and his predecessor Italy’s General Claudio Graziano on the African continent.

After several months of campaigning, three countries have emerged in the running for the top position, Slovenia and Ireland, both ahead of Poland, according to people briefed on the matter.

Ireland’s bid, which has an exemption from participation in EU military activities, is an example of how military cooperation has become important for a neutral country and over the past two years, it has kick-started discussions around the meaning of its neutrality in light of Europe’s changing security landscape.

Dublin has put forward the country’s current Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy. If appointed, he would also become the first four-star general of the country in the last 100 years.

Observers say the country’s application for the position shows its growing interest in the EU’s crisis management capacities, especially as a country with a long history of involvement in peacekeeping missions.

Slovenia’s bid, meanwhile, would offer a compromise candidate that could act as a link between the EU and NATO, as backers believe that due to its geographic and historical circumstances, it would be in a good position to balance priorities across the bloc.

Ljubljana put forward its current Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Robert Glavaš, who is considered the most experienced of the three, having been involved with NATO’s Mission in Kosovo (KFOR) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

Glavaš is also considered the best-connected candidate, with insiders pointing out his close ties with the US Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SACEUR), General Christopher Gerard Cavoli, with whom he served in Afghanistan.

Insiders said close US links would be particularly handy should former US president Donald Trump return to the White House and raise questions about the US commitment to European security.

Poland, the third interested country, has also clarified its increased interest in key foreign policy and defence jobs.

Security has been a principal concern for Warsaw’s government long before Russia’s war on Ukraine but has seen the full-scale invasion as a confirmation of its past threat assessment.

As a result, Poland decided on a rapid rise in defence expenditure to around 4% of GDP, which the new centre-right Tusk government, despite a likely austerity agenda, has not walked back from.

Known for its strong attachment to NATO as the cornerstone of Europe’s defence, Warsaw has recently also increasingly started to push for a stronger EU role in defence.

The nomination of Lieutenant General Slawomir Wojciechowski, the country’s current Military Representative to the EU and NATO, is seen by many as the bridge between both objectives.

In that position, the Poles hope to ensure that EU funds support defence policy to a greater extent, Poland’s Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said last month, commenting on the nomination.

Warsaw, however, might be more interested in eyeing the post of Defence Industry commissioner, if it were to be set up by the next Commission. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has signalled his interest in the job, which might be a higher priority for Warsaw.

But it would then have fewer chances, having already scored the chief military advisor of the EU.

[Edited by Rajnish Singh/Alice Taylor]

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