European Commissioner Thierry Breton has questioned the extent of support for the candidacy of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was sworn in on Thursday March 7 by the conservatives for a second term. This dig from the French commissioner, during the campaign for the European elections, has – a rare occurrence – led the European executive this Friday to issue a reminder of the rules of conduct.
Ursula von der Leyen saw her candidacy endorsed during a congress in Bucharest of the European People’s Party (EPP), the leading political force in the European Parliament and which is the favorite in the elections scheduled for June 6 to 9.
“Despite her qualities, Ursula von der Leyen is outvoted by her own party. The real question now: ‘Is it possible to (re)entrust the management of Europe to the EPP for 5 more years, or 25 years of ‘affiliated?'”, wrote Thierry Breton on Thursday evening on group which works regularly with the EPP in the current mandate.
“A remark made in a personal capacity”
Ursula von der Leyen received the support of her political family by 400 votes for, 89 against, out of 499 voters. Thierry Breton spoke of a “minority” when relating this number of 400 votes in favor to the total number of 801 delegates with certain voting rights during the congress. But according to the EPP, only 737 delegates had the right to vote for the election of the candidate, and 591 were actually registered.
Asked on Friday about Thierry Breton’s comments, a Commission spokesperson indicated that it was “a remark made in a personal capacity, and not in his capacity as commissioner”. “The Secretary General (of the Commission) will send a reminder to all commissioners on the guidelines which have been defined for the electoral campaign period which they must respect”, continued the spokesperson, Veerle Nuyts, during the update daily press. “We ask that commissioners use discretion in applying these rules,” she added.