Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a lead candidate in the European elections representing the ALDE party, has criticized Ursula von der Leyen’s first term as President of the European Commission. Strack-Zimmermann, who chairs the Defence Committee in the Bundestag, is currently running for a seat in the European Parliament as part of a three-candidate team. In an interview with Euronews, she condemned von der Leyen’s handling of defence, economy, and fundamental rights issues. She expressed disappointment in von der Leyen’s delay in prioritizing defence, particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent armed conflict.
According to Strack-Zimmermann, von der Leyen should have taken more swift and decisive action in response to the Russian invasion, given her experience as former defence minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel. Strack-Zimmermann criticized von der Leyen for not elevating military security to the top of the EU agenda sooner. She also raised concerns about the delay in delivering promised artillery shells to Ukraine, highlighting the Commission’s failure to follow through on commitments. Strack-Zimmermann expressed frustration with von der Leyen’s focus on environmental policies and excessive bureaucracy, which she believes hinders economic growth and deters businesses from remaining in Europe.
In terms of fundamental rights, Strack-Zimmermann criticized the Commission for unfreezing €10.2 billion in cohesion funds for Hungary just before a crucial summit. This decision, made in response to Hungary’s approval of a reform regarding judicial independence, was seen as unsatisfactory by the European Parliament, leading to a lawsuit against the Commission. Strack-Zimmermann highlighted the lack of transparency and accountability in this process, emphasizing the importance of upholding fundamental rights within the EU. Despite her strong criticism of von der Leyen’s presidency, Strack-Zimmermann acknowledged the challenging nature of the role of Commission President.
In the broader context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery efforts of the EU, Strack-Zimmermann emphasized the need for a more proactive and decisive approach from the Commission. She criticized von der Leyen’s delay in addressing military security concerns and delivering promised support to Ukraine, highlighting the importance of fulfilling commitments and taking effective action in response to crises. Strack-Zimmermann also raised concerns about the impact of excessive bureaucracy and environmental policies on economic growth, urging for a more business-friendly approach to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the EU.
Despite her criticisms, Strack-Zimmermann acknowledged the complexity and challenges associated with the role of Commission President. She emphasized the importance of strong leadership and effective decision-making in addressing the diverse issues facing the EU. Strack-Zimmermann’s interview with Euronews is part of a series featuring all the Spitzenkandidaten in the European elections. The full interview with Strack-Zimmermann will be broadcast on Euronews over the weekend, providing further insights into her perspectives on key issues facing the EU and her vision for the future of European governance.
