1. Introduction: Europe's Secretary of (no) State -- 2. The approach: the many roles of an EU High Representative -- 3. The context: the High Representative in the history and institutional structure of EU foreign policy -- 4. The pioneer: Javier Solana and the formative years of the CFSP -- 5. The quiet diplomat: Catherine Ashton and the making of post-Lisbon foreign policy -- 6. The global strategist: Federica Mogherini and the aspiration of an integrated external action -- 7. The intellectual: Josep Borrell and the challenge of a geopolitical Europe -- 8. Conclusions: the impact and limits of the EU High Representative in shaping the EU and its Global Role.

“In this meticulous and riveting account, Helwig traces the evolution of the High Representative throughout its four holders over the decades. A must read especially as the fifth, takes office amidst unprecedented external and internal challenges.” --Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali and former Special Advisor to the HRVPs Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell “Employing a sophisticated conceptual framework grounded in social role theory, Helwig provides a rigorous comparative analysis that fills a significant research gap. This book offers profound insights into the EU’s foreign policy leadership and actorness at a pivotal moment in both European and global politics.” --Lisbeth Aggestam, Associate Professor at Gothenburg University and editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy Analysis This book offers the first comprehensive analysis and comparison of all the EU High Representatives / Vice Presidents of the Commission (HRVPs) until 2024. The book explores how three incumbents with very different backgrounds, ways of working and personalities took up the challenge of formulating the EU’s answers to brewing international crises, regional instabilities, humanitarian disasters and, eventually, war. Applying role theory, the research provides deep insights into foreign policy leadership during a period when the EU needed to adapt to a rapidly changing international environment. Based on a large set of expert interviews, the book makes the case that the leadership and role performance of the HRVP matter and can have a positive impact on the EU’s international activities. As geopolitics stages a revival, future HRVPs need to engage powerful member states and key actors in Brussels to unleash the full potential of the EU’s economic, political and military weight. Niklas Helwig is Leading Researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. He is also an Associate Professor in International Relations at Tampere University, Finland. His research focuses on EU foreign and security policy, German foreign and security policy, as well as EU-US relations.