Queen Ursula’s new ‘boyfriend’ should make Putin smile

Von der Leyen’s public courtship of Mark Carney says as much about Europe’s weakness as it does about Canada’s leverage European Commission president and unelected de facto “queen” of Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, can’t get enough of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Her annual “State of the European Union” address last week should have been called “State of my crush on Mark Carney.” It seemed to transform into one giant excuse to gush about him while he sat in front of her, as she mused aloud to “Dear Mark” about her vision of some kind of “associate EU membership” for Canada.

It reminded me of a kid back in grade school who once did an entire speech on “seals” in French class, just so he could constantly repeat the French translation of the subject, “phoques,” at a rate of once per sentence.

“President Metsola, Prime Minister Carney, Honorable Members,” she began.

“Mark, your presence here is a symbol of the enduring friendship between our people.

Our cultural, historical and personal links run deep within the fabric of our societies.” That’s what we used to call a group date to hide your crush.

Only the group here consists of Canada’s 41 million people and the EU’s 452 million.

“Dear Mark,” she continued.

“I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships… We share one ocean, one set of values, one way of seeing the world.

And we will now build our shared future as well.” Read more The world is just enough: Ursula von der Leyen goes Bond villain Carney may be glad that ocean she speaks of is there, as it seems to be perhaps the only thing preventing her from camping out on his front lawn at this point.

For his part, Carney has made it clear that he’s playing the field, and that any commitment is welcome in that context.

“We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union,” Carney said, unequivocally.

“What we are looking – and will begin discussions for – is a unique alliance between Canada and the European Union.” In other words, he isn’t looking to flee Trump’s 51st state threat in favor of Canada willingly being the EU’s 28th.

No one in their right mind can blame him.