Ursula von der Leyen will not “punish” Ireland if our MEPs vote against her bid for re-appointment as European Commission President.
That’s according to Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews who plans to vote against Dr von der Leyen in this afternoon’s vote.
The Irish Government is officially supporting the German politician’s bid for a second term – with analysts expecting the vote to be tight when it gets underway at the European Parliament this afternoon.
Despite the Government’s position, all four Fianna Fáil MEPs have said they will vote against Dr von der Leyen today.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Barry Andrews said he and his colleagues have come under “quite a lot of pressure” from the Government to change their stance – with officials concerned it could undermine Michael McGrath’s chances of getting a top portfolio when he takes up his new job as Ireland’s European Commissioner.
Mr Andrews said that is not a “compelling enough argument” for him to change his mind.
“In fairness to Ursula von der Leyen, she’s not going to distribute portfolios on anything other than the merit,” he said.
“All of the Commissioners are going to have to work together for five years, she wouldn’t be so foolish as to punish a member state for the votes of individual MEPs.
“This is a democratic institution; we’ve all got a fresh mandate.
“It’s in the treaties that we have a decision to make today, which is whether or not to accept the candidacy.”
Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th last year, Dr von der Leyen flew to Israel to express her solidarity with the country.
Her strong support for Israel angered many people in Ireland, with President Michael D Higgins labelling them “thoughtless and even reckless”.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin told Newstalk at the time that balance of her views was ‘initially not right’.
Today, Hamas terrorists have struck at the heart of Israel capturing and killing innocent women and children.
Israel has the right to defend itself - today and in the days to come.
The European Union stands with Israel. pic.twitter.com/qTngixfu78
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 7, 2023
Mr Andrews said he had given the issue “a lot of thought” and decided it would be a “good day for European democracy” if Dr von der Leyen’s candidacy was rejected.
“During the election campaign, I made a very solemn commitment that I wouldn’t be supporting her candidacy if she was put forward by the Council,” he said.
“I’m going to stick to that and I based my decision on the way that she’s conducted European foreign policy - particularly around Gaza.
“But there are also other issues around migration and various deals she’s done with autocratic countries in North Africa and also on climate backsliding - which is really worrying for me.”
What's happening in #Palestine is a humanitarian catastrophe.
Starvation, deliberate obstacles put in the way of delivering aid, innocent people killed...this has all been happening for months in #Gaza and is still happening now.
I am proud of Ireland's unwavering commitment… pic.twitter.com/vLCpy5r6lM
— Barry Andrews MEP (@BarryAndrewsMEP) May 5, 2024
Mr Andrews said many people around the world have lost respect for the European Union because of Dr von der Leyen’s actions.
“I think there has to be accountability for all politicians and the damage that she’s done to our reputation in the global south,” he said.
“The damage she’s done to international law - and particularly humanitarian law - undermining rulings of the International Court of Justice, ignoring an arrest warrant that has been applied for Benjamin Netanyahu by sending one of her commissioners a week later to meet Netanyahu.
“This is really damaging.”
If the European Parliament votes against Dr von der Leyen today, the European Council has one month to submit another candidate for consideration.
Main image: Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: Thierry Monasse/dpa
