EU Parliament: The ‘democratic centre’ is falling apart
‘The centre holds,’ was the message after the European elections 2024. But a year later, the ‘pro-European parties’ are falling apart – because of the policies of Commission President von der Leyen
It was an unusually heated debate that MEPs had in Strasbourg on Monday in preparation for Thursday's vote of no confidence in the EU Commission.
Commission President von der Leyen appeared with her entire team to refute all allegations. She said she had done everything right during the coronavirus crisis, that there had never been a Pfizergate scandal, and that she had simply deleted her text messages.
AfD politician R. Aust spoke on behalf of the right wing, which had tabled the motion of no confidence. He recalled ‘Zensursula’, the consultancy scandal and Pfizergate: ‘On Thursday, we will send you into undeserved political retirement.’
Will VdL fall later – like Santer?
But that is likely to fail. The two-thirds majority needed for success is not in sight. There is a historical precedent for this: a motion of no confidence also failed before the Santer Commission fell in 1999.
Santer was brought down anyway – by revelations that forced him to step down. The same thing could happen to VdL. But she could also stumble over her own policies. Because the ‘centre’ that has supported her so far is falling apart.
The conservative EPP, to which the CDU/CSU belongs, is primarily to blame for this. It is veering to the right and making deals with the ECR, the very group that initiated the motion of no confidence. This is infuriating the socialists and liberals.
Comrades vow ‘resistance’
‘Who still supports you?’ asked the liberal Hayer. ‘How long do you intend to look the other way?’ asked Socialist leader Garcia. ‘If you don't change course soon, we will lead the resistance against you,’ she threatened.
The comrades have given von der Leyen a deadline until September – if she does not change course, they want to withdraw their support. However, they do not want to express their mistrust – not yet.
Nevertheless, the debate has shown how thin the ice has become on which the Commission President is dancing. ‘The centre holds,’ was the verdict after the European elections. ‘The centre is falling apart’ – that is the finding one year later.
The situation reminds me of the final phase of the German traffic light coalition...
This is the English version of my German newsletter on EU affairs, the Brussels-based “Watchlist EUropa” (three times a week, subscription here).