In a recent interview, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a lead candidate in the European elections representing the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), criticized Ursula von der Leyen’s first term as president of the European Commission. Strack-Zimmermann, currently a member of the Bundestag and chair of the Defence Committee, is vying for a seat in the European Parliament. She denounced von der Leyen’s policies in defense, economy, and fundamental rights, claiming that the incumbent took too long to prioritize defense issues after the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. Despite von der Leyen’s experience as a former defense minister, Strack-Zimmermann was disappointed in her lack of action.
Strack-Zimmermann expressed frustration at von der Leyen’s failure to address military security concerns at the beginning of her term as Commission president, especially in light of her past experience and knowledge of the situation, particularly the annexation of Crimea in 2014. She criticized von der Leyen for prioritizing issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery over defense and military security, leading to delays in addressing the situation in Ukraine. The liberal candidate also noted the Commission’s failure to deliver promised artillery shells to Kyiv as a missed opportunity to demonstrate commitment to the region.
On the economic front, Strack-Zimmermann highlighted concerns about environmental policies and bureaucratic obstacles that hindered growth and discouraged entrepreneurship in Europe. She stressed the importance of creating a business-friendly environment to attract and retain companies in the region. Additionally, Strack-Zimmermann criticized the Commission’s decision to release cohesion funds for Hungary amid concerns about judicial independence, a move that was met with criticism from the European Parliament and raised questions about the protection of fundamental rights in the EU.
Despite her criticisms of von der Leyen’s first term, Strack-Zimmermann acknowledged the challenging nature of the role of Commission president, recognizing the complexities and competing priorities that come with the position. She emphasized the need for effective leadership and a comprehensive approach to addressing the various challenges facing Europe, including defense, economic growth, and fundamental rights. The liberal candidate’s assessment of von der Leyen’s performance reflects broader concerns within the EU about the direction of the Commission and the effectiveness of its policies in addressing key issues facing the region.
As a lead candidate in the European elections, Strack-Zimmermann’s views on von der Leyen’s presidency offer insights into the criticisms and challenges facing the current Commission leadership. Her assessment of von der Leyen’s handling of defense, economy, and fundamental rights issues reflects broader concerns about the priorities and effectiveness of EU policies under the incumbent president. The interview with Strack-Zimmermann is part of a series with all the Spitzenkandidaten, providing voters with perspectives on the major issues and challenges facing Europe ahead of the upcoming elections. The full interview with Strack-Zimmermann will be broadcast on Euronews over the weekend, offering further insights into her views and policy proposals for the EU.
