Von der Leyen pledges Liberals 'no structured cooperation' with Meloni's ECR

Wednesday 10 July 2024 - 16:00

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is currently engaged in a pivotal campaign to secure a second term in office. As she seeks to muster the necessary support from the European Parliament, she finds herself navigating a complex political landscape, with various factions and ideological demands vying for her attention.

Von der Leyen, who belongs to the European People's Party's (EPP) moderate wing, has been making concerted efforts to build a centrist, enduring platform that encompasses the EPP, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the liberal Renew Europe group. Together, these three groups hold a formidable 400-seat majority in the European Parliament, making them crucial allies in von der Leyen's quest for reappointment.

However, the path to securing this majority is not without its challenges. Similar interparty rebellions are anticipated within the EPP and S&D, raising the possibility that von der Leyen may fall short of the 361 votes she requires for a second term. To bridge this gap, she must delicately navigate the alliances with either the Green group (53 seats) or the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group (78 seats).

The Renew Europe group has made its position clear, stating that it does not consider the ECR to be a pro-European group and that it has no intention of making any deals with them. Valerie Hayer, the French MEP who presides over Renew Europe, emphasized that von der Leyen has promised to build a coalition akin to her first mandate, which was backed by the EPP, S&D, and Renew.

During a closed-door meeting, von der Leyen reportedly went a step further, explicitly promising Renew Europe that there would be "no structured cooperation" with the ECR group during her potential second term. This statement appears designed to assuage any remaining doubts and solidify her commitment to a centrist, pro-European platform.

However, von der Leyen's path to securing the necessary support is not without its obstacles. The German, Slovak, Portuguese, and Irish delegations within Renew Europe are considered the most skeptical, largely due to her handling of the democratic backsliding in Hungary and Slovakia. Additionally, six MEPs from Ireland have expressed opposition to her reappointment due to her perceived pro-Israel stance during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

As von der Leyen navigates this intricate political landscape, she must delicately balance the demands and concerns of various factions while maintaining a steady course towards her goal of a second term. The outcomes of her upcoming meetings with the Greens and the ECR group will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of her campaign and the future of the European Commission's leadership.