Ursula von der Leyen's position against the far right is debated

The extreme right was not represented in the debate organized on Thursday, May 23, between the leaders of European political parties and their candidates for the presidency of the Commission. But while opinion polls see her leading in the European Parliament elections that will be held from June 6 to 9, she was at the heart of the debates between the five participants: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for the European People's Party (EPP, Conservatives); , Member of the European Parliament Sandro Gozzi for the liberals from the Renew Europe Party, and his colleague Thierry Rintke from the Green Party, head of the European Left Party. Walter Baer for the far left and Employment Commissioner Nicola Schmitt for the Social Democrats (S&D).

As for nationalist and populist rights – the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), which includes Fratelli d'Italia, led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Identity and Democracy (ID), to which the National Rally (RN) belongs – they were not. . At the invitation of the European Broadcasting Union, which organized the event in the European Parliament. “They did not name the head of the list to head the body.”“, explains the spokesman for the Community Legislative Council.

However, we would have liked to hear their reaction to the sometimes tense disagreements between Ursula von der Leyen on the one hand and her rivals on the other over the advisability of an alliance with the far right in the European Parliament or not. Angela Merkel's former minister, whose party should remain the leading political force in the council after the June elections, once again reiterated his red lines: “I have three principles: that the parties I will work with are pro-European, pro-Ukraine and the rule of law.”.

Collaboration with Meloni

In this context, it says it rules out any rapprochement with the National Front, the Alternative for Germany, and the Polish Union. “Putin's puppets want to destroy Europe”The German argued – but he does not abstain from cooperating with the Giorgia Meloni party. He added: “It is clear that she is pro-European, anti-Putin, and supports the rule of law. If confirmed, we will offer to work together.Ursula von der Leyen confirmed. “What I hearGreen MEP Daniel Freund commented: “It's: I want Meloni in the European People's Party.”.

“I am ready to work with all democratic forces, but the European Council or identity are not compatible with the basic values ​​that we defend.” answered Nicola Schmidt, whose group should still be in second place at the end of the election, behind the European People's Party. Luxembourg, in particular, crushed Giorgia Meloni, who, according to him, makes the decisions in Italy. “Against women’s rights and [la liberté des] “media”. ” I can not imagineHe said to the woman who is still his boss in the body: To share his idea of ​​Europe. » For his part, Sandro Gozzi announced “I do not understand that the EPP and Ursula von der Leyen are willing and willing to open up to the European Parliament, Meloni, Zemmour and Vox who are fighting against the EU. [la] Dismantling from the inside.

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