On Monday afternoon, when the European Parliament met for the second time after a summer holiday in Strasbourg, the MLAs immediately started working.
Jordan Bardela, French President of Europe’s french right -wing group Patriots, accused European Commission Chairman Ursula von Der Leyen of lack of transparency, failed migration policy and their climate policy.
He also described the Customs Agreement with the US as a disaster. “You have effectively signed the surrender of Europe,” he said.
The speaking was the Vice President of the next Left Group, French politician Manon Obree. His allegations were also serious: Failure in his behavior with Israel and war in Gaza, failure to achieve green deal, focus on the purchase of arms rather than social security. “You must go,” he said to von der leane.
However, Von Der Leyen remained calm. “The truth is that our opponents are not only ready to take advantage of any division, but they actively promote these partitions,” they have confidently replied while calling for unity.
Do two mistrust in three months
Nevertheless, it is unprecedented for the Chairman of the European Commission to face two votes of mistrust within just three months. It does not seem that he will be excluded in Thursday’s voting – but it shows how fragmented Parliament has become.
This further shows how weak the trust between the Commission and the political center between the parties.
Unlike the previous vote of mistrust in July, this time, the emphasis came from the radical leftist as well as political right. Although there is a confrontation in his world -dominated, his goals seem to be the same: weakening von Der Leyen, and strengthening his hold on power in Parliament.
For Almut Mooller, Director, European and Global Affairs at the European Policy Center (EPC), it is not unpredictable. He said, “It is not surprising that given the increasing political fragmentation in the European Parliament.”
The French Center National Day La Rechcharanch Scientific or CNRS Research Director Olivier Costa, who is an expert from European Union Institutes, highlighted the rise of left and right extremist forces as the root cause.
What is the criticism of Von Der Leyen’s leadership?
Costa also indicates the declining ability to cooperate between Social Democrats and Christian Democrats, which was earlier the main alliance in the European Parliament. He said that the second reason was: Ursula von Der Leyen’s leadership style, which many consider very centralized and hierarchical.
Costa said, “She really looks at himself as a Prime Minister,” she said that the principles of cooperation and consensus are left behind, only the people sitting on the top are taking decisions. This has caused dissatisfaction within the Parliament and even the Commission.
Meanwhile, Europe’s political scenario has become more complex. Since 2019, the pre -“Grand Alliance” between right -wing Orthodox European People’s Party (EPP) and Social Democrats (S&D) is no longer enough to gain a stable majority.
“We have already seen in some votes, especially on environment and migration or international issues, that the EPP is no more hesitant to vote with them. [far-right parties],” He said.
Personal clashes between Manfred Weber (EPP) and IRETEX Garcia (S&D) at the top of parliamentary groups have made it difficult to reach the agreement. The result of this is that there is Shakti Kushika in the center, whose political marginalized people are taking advantage.
Criticism is being done from all sides
Nevertheless, the parties at the center are still trying to remain united, but the chairman of the Commission is responding to the patience. “We have to accept that the Commission Chairman and his Commission standing on the political platform at the moment is currently maintained, but it is not as solid at the center.”
Criticism is being done from all sides: some parts of the Liberal party complain about the slow pace of bureaucracy, the EPP is unilaterally angry with the foreign policy decisions, and social democrats and greens and greens are doubtful about development and competitiveness and change from social projects and green deals.
However, molar warns to reach the conclusion. “Thesis [accusations] Originally there would not be a threat to the power of the Chairman of the Commission, “He explained, von Der Leyen” will have to focus on keeping the Center busy and happy. “
In his view, the irony is that the upcoming mistake is an opportunity to do so.
Von Der Leyen may be able to discipline his alliance by converting the vote into the question of loyalty.
Dangerous or refreshing?
So, are not mistrust not indicating dangerous instability or democratic vitality? “Both,” Costa explained that “the controversy is proof that democracy is burning within the European Union institutions, but it is always the same thing: it is vivid until it becomes too much for the system and the system becomes unstable.”
On Thursday, the European Parliament will decide on the future of Von Der Leyen. However, Costa does not see any base for adjacent resignation, but he sees the situation as a new normal, including nonstop tension tests.
“Von Der Leyen will neither resign nor will they be dismissed; for many people, she is still the best option. After all, who will be the option?” He said. And yet, he considers the size of the “no” camp politically important. “The weak score will reflect the declining relations between the European Commission and the European Parliament,” he said.
In turn, many observers believe that the decisive factor is not whether von dera leye will be able to avoid the oppression or not, but how. After all, the stronger the opposition is, the lower the support will be, and the higher the pressure on the upcoming budget, trade and climate law. For the Commission Chairman, delicate balance work is set to continue.
This article was originally written in German.