Ursula von der Leyen has been accused of “behaving like a queen” – with other eurocrats including Foreign Policy supremo Josep Borrell increasingly frustrated by her stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
And insiders believe the European Commission President even risks losing her job over the issue, with the European Parliament due to vote on whether or not to grant her a second term in office next year.
Ms von der Leyen has been steadfast in her support for Israel in the wake of the Hamas terror attack on October 7, voicing solidarity with the 1,400 Israelis known to have been killed.
However, with Israel widely believed to be planning a ground invasion in the next few days, several sources told Politico they were unhappy at what they saw as the former German defence minister’s failure to remind the country of its responsibility to respect international law.
Ms von der Leyen, 65, paid an unscheduled visit to Israel last weekend, leaving several officials unimpressed.
READ MORE: Risk of Israel-Iran war is real, says expert warning of ‘escalation spiral'[ANALYSIS]
Rishi Sunak says Israel has the right to ‘defend its people’
One, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “She has increasingly been behaving like a queen.”
In a thinly veiled rebuke, Mr Borrell, who as High Representative is the bloc’s top diplomat, pointed out that Ms von der Leyen’s role did not entitle her to represent the bloc on foreign policy.
He explained: “The official position of the European Union with any foreign policy issue is being fixed – I repeat – by the guidelines.”
Nathalie Loiseau, an MEP and a close ally of the French President, was more explicit, posting on X, formerly Twitter: “I don’t understand what the president of the Commission has to do with foreign policy, which is not her mandate.”
Neither did Irish President Michael D Higgins, speaking at the World Food Forum in Rome today, hold back, saying Ms von der Leyen did ”not speak for Ireland and she wasn’t speaking for the opinions that they hold”.
He added: “I don’t know where the source of those decisions was.
“I don’t know where the legitimation for it was and I don’t know where the authority for it is and I don’t think it was helpful.
“It may not have been meant to have malevolent consequences but certainly we need a better performance in relation to European Union diplomacy and practice.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Don’t miss…
Turkey’s president warns Sunak not to stoke Israel-Hamas war as tensions mount[ANALYSIS]
Terror probe as pensioner is stabbed to death moments after using cash point[BREAKING]
‘Utterly useless, overpaid’ MEPs mocked after train takes them to Disneyland[INSIGHT]
“One has to bear in mind how important it is to retain and insist on the veracity and the cogency of international law.”
Ms von der Leyen has not yet confirmed her intention to seek another five-year term, but she already has the backing of the Parliament’s European People’s Party, of which she is a member.
There are no specific indications so far that any heavyweight figures are planning to withdraw their support – but rising frustration among the likes of Mr Borrell and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez could spell trouble.
If a public row breaks out, that could jeopardise her hope after the European Parliamentary elections in June, after which MEPs will have the task of either reappointing or replacing her.
Ms von der Leyen opted to travel with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, with the two briefly forced to take refuge in a bomb shelter during an air raid.
Defending her trip, Eric Mamer, the Commission’s chief spokesman, insisted she was representing the Commission as opposed to the EU27.
He added: “No one criticised von der Leyen for going to Ukraine and Bucha.
“She can travel wherever she wants. She went to Israel to express solidarity with a country that had been subject of unprovoked terrorist attack. That’s within her prerogative.”
Source: Read Full Article