In an intense political climate, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, is bracing for a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament this Thursday. Although the vote is expected to fail, it symbolizes a growing challenge from far-right political groups within the EU.
During a recent debate in Strasbourg, von der Leyen addressed concerns, particularly those raised by Romanian MP Gheorghe Piperea, who accused her commission of lacking transparency. This dispute was brought into the spotlight due to a lawsuit from The New York Times over unreleased text messages between von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO regarding vaccine procurement during the pandemic. The Luxembourg General Court sided with the newspaper, stating the commission had not justified its refusal to release the messages.
Piperea's complaints extend beyond this issue, suggesting that the commission's actions surrounding joint defense procurement and digital legislation have been opaque, further damaging public trust in the institution. As the situation unfolds, the implications of this scrutiny on the European leadership remain significant.
During a recent debate in Strasbourg, von der Leyen addressed concerns, particularly those raised by Romanian MP Gheorghe Piperea, who accused her commission of lacking transparency. This dispute was brought into the spotlight due to a lawsuit from The New York Times over unreleased text messages between von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO regarding vaccine procurement during the pandemic. The Luxembourg General Court sided with the newspaper, stating the commission had not justified its refusal to release the messages.
Piperea's complaints extend beyond this issue, suggesting that the commission's actions surrounding joint defense procurement and digital legislation have been opaque, further damaging public trust in the institution. As the situation unfolds, the implications of this scrutiny on the European leadership remain significant.
