EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: A New Beginning or the Same Old Story?

MEP Petri Sarvamaa of the coalition has expressed his belief that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s approach will change after the summer European elections. He stated, “Same name, different person.” The MEP has been critical of the European Union’s past five years under the current Commission’s leadership, claiming that it has not strengthened the internal market or competitiveness.

Sarvamaa believes that von der Leyen, a German and member of the center-right EPP party, lacks experience and allowed others to seize power within the Commission, particularly in areas such as climate and the European green transition program Green Deal. However, he sees a shift towards a more balanced approach, with reports commissioned on the internal market, competitiveness, and preparedness.

On the other hand, MEP Henna Virkkunen disagrees with Sarvamaa and praises von der Leyen’s handling of crises over the past five years, such as the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Despite their differences of opinion within the coalition regarding von der Leyen’s effectiveness and direction of leadership under her leadership so far.