MEPs signalled strong disapproval of new EU Commission leadership

Some MEPs have signalled their strong disapproval of the new team of EU commissioners to serve under Ursula von der Leyen.

MEPs voted to back the new team, or “college”, at the plenary in Strasbourg. 

The mainstream parties voted in favour of the new look commission.

While a majority voted in favour of the new college the Left Group is particularly scathing, branding the outcome as “a complete farce.”

In a statement, the Left Group added,

Political groups in Parliament have endorsed the most far-right, corporate-driven, and ethically compromised Commission in EU history.

This is the first EU administration in history that relies on anti-democratic political forces. It’s no accident, but a well-calculated political choice from Socialists, Liberals, and Conservatives to back a commission that erodes democratic values.

It said,

What is being spun as a ‘democratic majority’ is, in reality, an EPP wish list enforced through a ‘Cordon Flexitaire,’ where conservatives strike deals with the far right when liberals and socialists hesitate.

These scandalous deals ensured key posts went to candidates whose records reek of ineptitude and corruption: a Climate Commissioner with offshore dealings and ties to fossil fuels, a Cohesion Commissioner formerly banned from office for bribery, and an Innovation Commissioner accused of selling EU passports to the highest bidder. These appointments were rubber-stamped with barely a pretence of scrutiny. Accountability has been sacrificed on the altar of power-sharing,

the Left statement said.

The statement continued,

Meanwhile, policies that should prioritize good jobs in sustainable industries and social justice are nowhere to be found. Instead, Europe’s Green Deal is being gutted, and industrial competitiveness has taken precedence over bold climate action, cemented by the appointment of Stéphane Séjourné to oversee industrial strategy. This isn’t a green transition—it’s a handout to polluters wrapped in eco-friendly branding.

Support for the new team has come from S&D Group leader, Iratxe García, whose group is the second biggest in the EU Parliament. She still warned that,

Our support is not a blank cheque. We will not accept double-dealing.

The Spanish member added,

We are at a decisive moment for the future of the European project. We face challenges of enormous magnitude at a time when the extreme right wants to put an end to the European project, Trump threatens to break the transatlantic link, China has shattered trade rules, international law is questioned as a consequence of Putin’s devastating war against Ukraine and Netanyahu’s slaughter in Gaza and Lebanon.

She added,

With Teresa Ribera’s leadership on the green transition, Roxana Mînzatu’s commitment to quality jobs, Dan Jørgensen’s commitment to access to housing, and Glenn Micallef’s engagement for the future of young people, Social Democrats will do their utmost to advance in the EU agenda with a constructive and pro-European approach.

European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) co-leader Nicola Procaccini said that

a centre-left dominance in the EU had now been broken,

adding, 

Defending the national interest does not mean being Eurosceptic or anti-European. Rather, it means loving the original and wonderful idea of a Europe of peoples, united in diversity.

The business world, represented at EU level by BusinessEurope, welcomed the vote with its president Fredrik Persson stating,

We congratulate von der Leyen and her whole college on their confirmation. The timely approval of the new Commission is good news for Europe. The EU now urgently needs a bold agenda to restore its competitiveness, empower businesses, attract investment and drive innovation.

Echoing the recommendations of the Draghi and Letta reports, we call on the new European Commission to urgently propose a coherent competitiveness strategy to steer our economic ship back on course. It will be key to reduce the energy cost gap with our major competitors while staying on track for the green transition, reduce the regulatory overburden on European companies, speed up permitting procedures, and diversify our export and import markets.

The European business community stands ready to support the new European Commission and its President in the necessary efforts to make sure that Europe becomes the best place to live, work and do business again.