European Parliament member Petri Sarvamaa of the coalition has criticized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership over the past five years, stating that it has not strengthened the internal market or competitiveness. According to Sarvamaa, von der Leyen, a German and member of the center-right EPP party, lacks experience and allowed others to seize power within the Commission, particularly in areas such as climate and the European green transition program Green Deal.
However, Sarvamaa expressed his disappointment with von der Leyen’s handling of the Green Deal, stating that it has dominated EU actions too heavily and led to a loss of balance in policy areas. He believes that von der Leyen is moving towards a more balanced approach, commissioning reports on the internal market, competitiveness, and preparedness.
Sarvamaa predicts that there will be a change in approach under von der Leyen’s leadership over the next five years. In contrast, MEP Henna Virkkunen disagrees with him, praising von der Leyen’s handling of crises over the past five years, such as the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Overall, there seems to be a difference of opinion within the coalition regarding von der Leyen’s effectiveness and direction as Commission President.