European Parliament Erupts as MEPs Launch Blistering Attacks on Ursula von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen faced a fierce backlash in the European Parliament on Wednesday, with MEPs accusing her of being “detached from reality” during her annual State of the Union address.
Lawmakers took turns to tear into the European Commission president in Strasbourg, hammering her leadership over the soaring cost of living, energy costs, and her handling of international crises.
‘Are You on Another Planet?’ : Aubry Slams Cost-of-Living and Gaza Inaction
Manon Aubry, co-chair of The Left group (La France Insoumise), opened the offensive by accusing von der Leyen of completely ignoring the financial pressure facing ordinary Europeans.
“Madam von der Leyen, you have achieved quite a feat in your speech: not uttering a single concrete proposal on the cost of living, even though it is by far the top concern of Europeans,” Aubry said. “A full tank of petrol already exceeds €100. One would think you do not live on the same planet.”
Aubry then turned her fire toward foreign policy, accusing the Commission president of failing to back up her rhetoric regarding the conflict in Gaza with meaningful action against Israel.
“Last year in your speech you said, ‘What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.’ Since then, nothing. No sanctions against the State of Israel, no suspension of the association agreement while the genocide continues… You hide behind the division of Europe, but that is only to better conceal your inaction.”
’Your Arrogance Disturbed Me’: Belgian MEP Warns of Backlash Over Energy Prices
Belgian MEP Marc Botenga, vice-chair of The Left group (PVDA-PTB), targeted von der Leyen’s salary and what he described as Brussels’ failure to curb corporate greed while citizens suffer. He warned the Commission president that she would “pay for it in the street.”
“Your arrogance disturbed me. You talk about the best of times, but for whom? Perhaps for you with 34,000 euros per month,” Botenga said. “The price of gas and oil, of course, is killing us, soon three euros per litre at the pump. And it’s also your fault; it’s also your responsibility.”
Botenga also condemned the EU’s stance on the war in Ukraine and its refusal to impose tougher taxes on energy giants. “You prefer to send Ukrainian fathers who have taken refuge in Europe back to die on the front there. And what are you doing today to tax the excess profits of energy multinationals? Nothing.”
‘You Make Me Sick’: Czech Lawmaker Slams ‘Tragic Decisions’
Czech MEP Kateřina Konečná delivered perhaps the most visceral rebuke of the session, attacking von der Leyen’s defense strategies, environmental regulations, and ongoing financial aid to Kyiv.
“You make me sick,” Konečná told the chamber. “No, the situation in Europe will not improve by you being armed, by establishing your own security council, by banning straws and plastic cups, by printing more euros to cover corruption in Ukraine, and by tragic decisions.”
Von der Leyen’s Defiant Blueprint
The series of fiery confrontations followed a comprehensive speech in which von der Leyen laid out her vision for a more independent, militarized Europe.
Her core proposals included stronger defense structures to respond to security threats without heavily relying on outside powers and continued financial and military support for Ukraine.
She also proposed new strategies spanning migration, energy, and expanded foreign relations.
Despite her efforts to project unity and strength, the intense floor debates highlighted growing political fractures within the European Parliament over the EU’s economic priorities and geopolitical positions.
(VIORY)
