Conclusions: A High Representative for the Geopolitical Age

The concluding chapter compares the leadership of the three HRVPs Catherine Ashton, Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell. It discusses the influence of personal attributes, networks and situational contexts on the role performance of the HRVP. The research reveals considerable variation in the ways that the three office-holders interpreted and implemented the role of HRVP, which underlines the usefulness of role theory in the analysis of foreign policy agents. Finally, the chapter discusses to what extent the position of the HRVP is still suited to provide leadership in today’s geopolitical age. The power of the office lies in its ability to adapt to changing situational context and a more geopolitical focus of the position is possible.