Orbán Cabinet Raises Concerns About von der Leyen Campaign
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing criticism from MEP Kinga Gál of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party for allegedly using EU institutions for her re-election campaign. Gál, who is also the vice-president of the Patriots for Europe group, expressed concerns about von der Leyen’s recent decisions, including the exclusion of Hungary from informal Council meetings and the withholding of funds owed to the country.
Gál accused von der Leyen of prioritizing her political goals over cooperation between EU institutions, stating that it was not up to the EC chief to decide whom to cooperate with. She emphasized the importance of following established regulations and upholding the principles of good-faith cooperation within the EU.
The MEP also criticized von der Leyen’s handling of the upcoming presidential election, suggesting that the EC president was struggling to secure the necessary votes. Additionally, Gál raised concerns about reports that certain political factions in the European Parliament were seeking to exclude members of Patriots for Europe from key positions, calling it a violation of democratic principles.
Overall, Gál’s comments reflect growing tensions within the EU political landscape, with questions being raised about von der Leyen’s leadership and the adherence to democratic norms within EU institutions. The situation could potentially escalate further, with Gál hinting at the possibility of legal action to address the issues at hand.
