Ursula von der Leyen Eyes Second Term: EPP Backs Current President, Rejects Far-Right
The European People’s Party (EPP) supports Ursula von der Leyen's bid to lead the European Commission until 2029, although not all members were convinced.
Ursula von der Leyen has received a strong, family-like endorsement from her political base, the EPP, for another term as President of the European Commission.
Her nomination as the EPP's candidate in the upcoming European Parliament election was anticipated, but her approval rate among delegates during the Bucharest congress was scrutinized.
About 20% of voting delegates opposed her bid, signaling dissent within her party over her alliance with French President Emmanuel Macron and adoption of Green Deal policies.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s ex-Brexit negotiator, abstained, disapproving of von der Leyen's campaigning with Macron.
There was some confusion over the exact number of eligible EPP voters and who actually voted. EU leaders will ultimately choose the Commission President after June's election, but von der Leyen is now the frontrunner.
The secret ballot’s turnout will be telling in a critical upcoming vote in the European Parliament where von der Leyen needs a majority to secure her position. Despite 18% of the EPP voting against her, she was still the uncontested nominee.
Post-nomination, von der Leyen was surrounded by political figures offering congratulations.
Prominent leaders like Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar praised von der Leyen’s leadership during Covid and the Ukraine crisis.
Former Commission President José Manuel Barroso deemed her choice logical and expressed hope that she would actively campaign.
Dubravka Šuica, a Croatian Commissioner, dismissed the need for competing candidates, expressing confidence in von der Leyen's leadership.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted the exceptional unity and enthusiasm at the congress.
The French Republicans and Slovenia's former PM Janez Janša's party did not support von der Leyen, citing their stance on the Green Deal.
In a lead-up speech, von der Leyen framed herself as a Christian democrat, appreciated for her stance on farming within her party but criticized by Green Deal opponents.
She stressed the need for fairness in agriculture and presented her leadership as stable in uncertain times, while also positioning herself as a defense against populism.
However, the EPP's alignment with far-right parties in regions like Finland and Italy complicates the picture.
Von der Leyen prepared to defend her migration policy, with plans to expand the EU’s border force and send asylum seekers to third countries.
Her party's rightward tilt alienated some, like Leo Varadkar, who advocated for milder positions on nature and migration laws.
Ultimately, the EPP opted for von der Leyen, valuing continuity over change, as emphasized by Finnish MEP Petri Sarvamaa's sentiment against "rocking the boat."
Her nomination as the EPP's candidate in the upcoming European Parliament election was anticipated, but her approval rate among delegates during the Bucharest congress was scrutinized.
About 20% of voting delegates opposed her bid, signaling dissent within her party over her alliance with French President Emmanuel Macron and adoption of Green Deal policies.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s ex-Brexit negotiator, abstained, disapproving of von der Leyen's campaigning with Macron.
There was some confusion over the exact number of eligible EPP voters and who actually voted. EU leaders will ultimately choose the Commission President after June's election, but von der Leyen is now the frontrunner.
The secret ballot’s turnout will be telling in a critical upcoming vote in the European Parliament where von der Leyen needs a majority to secure her position. Despite 18% of the EPP voting against her, she was still the uncontested nominee.
Post-nomination, von der Leyen was surrounded by political figures offering congratulations.
Prominent leaders like Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar praised von der Leyen’s leadership during Covid and the Ukraine crisis.
Former Commission President José Manuel Barroso deemed her choice logical and expressed hope that she would actively campaign.
Dubravka Šuica, a Croatian Commissioner, dismissed the need for competing candidates, expressing confidence in von der Leyen's leadership.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted the exceptional unity and enthusiasm at the congress.
The French Republicans and Slovenia's former PM Janez Janša's party did not support von der Leyen, citing their stance on the Green Deal.
In a lead-up speech, von der Leyen framed herself as a Christian democrat, appreciated for her stance on farming within her party but criticized by Green Deal opponents.
She stressed the need for fairness in agriculture and presented her leadership as stable in uncertain times, while also positioning herself as a defense against populism.
However, the EPP's alignment with far-right parties in regions like Finland and Italy complicates the picture.
Von der Leyen prepared to defend her migration policy, with plans to expand the EU’s border force and send asylum seekers to third countries.
Her party's rightward tilt alienated some, like Leo Varadkar, who advocated for milder positions on nature and migration laws.
Ultimately, the EPP opted for von der Leyen, valuing continuity over change, as emphasized by Finnish MEP Petri Sarvamaa's sentiment against "rocking the boat."
