On Monday, the top contenders to preside over the European Commission are scheduled to face off against the incumbent – and frontrunner – Ursula von der Leyen. The debate will take place in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and will mark the first time the lead candidates confront each other’s projects ahead of the elections to the European Parliament in early June. Von der Leyen, who has been known for promoting “European solutions” to “European challenges,” has managed to deepen ties with leaders across the political spectrum, from right-wing to left-wing, in order to advance her ambitious agenda. Despite avoiding traditional partisan politics, she is now poised to face more open criticism as the campaign intensifies.
Von der Leyen’s electoral team recently unveiled the official slogan “More than a Union. Our home” and released new images of the candidate under the words “Ursula 2024”. The campaign aims to heavily personalize the efforts of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) to remain the largest group in the European Parliament. While the EPP continues to dominate in Brussels, it struggles to lead major member states, with Poland being the largest country governed by an EPP politician. Von der Leyen has become the recognisable face of the party, despite facing opposition from within her party on certain policies like the gradual ban on the combustion engine. The EPP is betting on von der Leyen for a second term that will focus on competitiveness and defence, appealing to the conservative electorate.
The process of appointing the European Commission president involves agreement from the European Council and confirmation by the European Parliament, requiring contenders to transition from partisan agents to consensus builders. Von der Leyen has strong relations with capitals across Europe, securing crucial endorsements from the European Council. The most prominent competitor in the race is Nicolas Schmit, the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, representing the Party of European Socialists (PES), who has criticized the EPP’s alignment with far-right rhetoric. The Maastricht debate will feature various party representatives on stage discussing different political perspectives.
Following the debate, von der Leyen will continue her campaign tour across member states, with upcoming stops in the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy. Her presence on the campaign trail is expected to support national parties vying for seats in the European Parliament, as she engages with different language groups and showcases the EPP’s platform. The campaign for the European Commission presidency is heating up as von der Leyen faces more direct challenges from her competitors and works to secure support from key European institutions. Despite opposition within her party on certain policy issues, von der Leyen remains a strong candidate for a second term, focusing on prosperity, security, and democracy in challenging times.
