The Brief – No time for a honeymoon period this summer

European leaders face a packed summer of summits, with key challenges including maintaining EU unity on Ukraine support, addressing Trump 2.0 and US isolationism, reining in Viktor Orbán's controversial diplomacy, and facing rocky EU-China ties under Ursula von der Leyen's hawkish leadership.

Von der Leyen is focused on de-risking from Beijing and bolstering ties with Indo-Pacific allies. However, obstacles such as the American presidential election and member states' resistance to economic security strategy may hinder her plans.

The EU's most powerful members face political vulnerability, leaving a power void for the European Commission to fill. The appointment of a college of commissioners and the upcoming vote on permanent duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles will shape the EU-China relationship for the next five years.

Europe's shift to the right under von der Leyen's re-election consolidates anti-immigration policies and poses challenges for progressive forces.