Europe has entered its summer lull: Brussels has emptied out, and national parliaments have suspended their sessions. However, for EU leaders, "switching off" remains a mere formality. Ongoing military conflicts, economic instability, and large-scale wildfires are forcing politicians to balance downtime with state duties, fearing voter backlash over perceptions of luxury or carefree behavior.
Ursula von der Leyen: Family farm and ethical concerns
The European Commission President does not disclose her vacation location, though it is known she is spending time with family. According to a Commission spokesperson, von der Leyen remains in contact with Brussels and is personally involved in addressing critical issues. Previously, the politician shared photos on social media from her farm near Hanover. It is worth noting that past vacation choices for the EC head have sparked scandal: the European Ombudsman criticized her for a free stay at the Greek Prime Minister's villa, labeling it a "structural flaw" in EU ethical rules.
Emmanuel Macron: Phone diplomacy at Fort Brégançon
The French President is spending his summer at the official residence of Fort Brégançon on the French Riviera. Despite criticism over photos of him on a jet ski, which opponents call evidence of being "out of touch with the people's problems," the Élysée Palace emphasizes the President's political activity. Macron is conducting phone negotiations with leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, while also monitoring the wildfire situation in the Gironde department.
Pedro Sánchez: Responding to the migration crisis
The Spanish Prime Minister is forced to combine a vacation in the Canary Islands with managing the crisis in Ceuta, where approximately 80,000 migrants arrived in late July. The opposition People's Party has sharply condemned Sánchez for attempting to project a sense of "normalcy" during an emergency, though the government maintains that the Prime Minister continues to perform his duties remotely.
Giorgia Meloni and Friedrich Merz: Vacations with an eye on the future
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is spending time in Puglia with family and allies. For her, this period is a preparation for future elections, where she could set a record for the longest tenure as head of government. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is taking a short vacation within Germany. According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he is studying Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence, which may signal the priorities of his future policy on AI regulation, which he previously described as a "straitjacket for innovation."
