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Von der Leyen gets condemned for skirting EU oversight
(MENAFN) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has come under fire for allegedly bypassing EU oversight rules when approving controversial multi-billion-euro projects, including military investments.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola criticized von der Leyen for attempting to sideline proper procedures in authorizing €150 billion in loans to support the bloc’s military-industrial complex. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Metsola insisted that the EU Parliament must be involved in major financial decisions, rejecting claims that parliamentary approval would slow down urgent measures.
“Von der Leyen can no longer hide behind the excuse that the Parliament takes too long,” Metsola stated, adding that lawmakers have reformed their procedures to ensure faster decision-making.
Under von der Leyen’s leadership, the European Commission has pushed for a massive military expansion, justifying it as a response to an alleged threat from Russia—a claim Moscow has dismissed. The EU plans to draw on €150 billion in loans over the next five years to increase military spending and supply lethal aid to Ukraine.
However, many lawmakers fear this could set a dangerous precedent, as von der Leyen previously used the same legal mechanism (Article 122) to pass the €750 billion COVID-19 recovery fund in 2020.
Von der Leyen has previously faced scrutiny over transparency concerns, most notably in the "Pfizergate" scandal, where she allegedly bypassed established protocols during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations with Pfizer. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched an investigation in 2022 into vaccine procurement irregularities.
During her tenure as Germany’s Defense Minister (2013–2019), von der Leyen was accused of awarding lucrative contracts to external consultants without proper oversight. When a parliamentary investigation sought access to her mobile phone as evidence, it was revealed that all data had been erased.
On Tuesday, von der Leyen again raised concerns about Russia, claiming that Moscow is expanding its military-industrial production in preparation for a future conflict with European democracies. Her remarks coincided with a lengthy phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, focused on negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine.
With mounting criticism from EU lawmakers, von der Leyen faces growing pressure to justify her unilateral decision-making and increase transparency in Brussels’ financial and military policies.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola criticized von der Leyen for attempting to sideline proper procedures in authorizing €150 billion in loans to support the bloc’s military-industrial complex. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Metsola insisted that the EU Parliament must be involved in major financial decisions, rejecting claims that parliamentary approval would slow down urgent measures.
“Von der Leyen can no longer hide behind the excuse that the Parliament takes too long,” Metsola stated, adding that lawmakers have reformed their procedures to ensure faster decision-making.
Under von der Leyen’s leadership, the European Commission has pushed for a massive military expansion, justifying it as a response to an alleged threat from Russia—a claim Moscow has dismissed. The EU plans to draw on €150 billion in loans over the next five years to increase military spending and supply lethal aid to Ukraine.
However, many lawmakers fear this could set a dangerous precedent, as von der Leyen previously used the same legal mechanism (Article 122) to pass the €750 billion COVID-19 recovery fund in 2020.
Von der Leyen has previously faced scrutiny over transparency concerns, most notably in the "Pfizergate" scandal, where she allegedly bypassed established protocols during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations with Pfizer. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched an investigation in 2022 into vaccine procurement irregularities.
During her tenure as Germany’s Defense Minister (2013–2019), von der Leyen was accused of awarding lucrative contracts to external consultants without proper oversight. When a parliamentary investigation sought access to her mobile phone as evidence, it was revealed that all data had been erased.
On Tuesday, von der Leyen again raised concerns about Russia, claiming that Moscow is expanding its military-industrial production in preparation for a future conflict with European democracies. Her remarks coincided with a lengthy phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, focused on negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine.
With mounting criticism from EU lawmakers, von der Leyen faces growing pressure to justify her unilateral decision-making and increase transparency in Brussels’ financial and military policies.
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