Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership of the European Union has been marked by transformative years dominated by crisis management. She has navigated challenges such as the global pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy crunch, irregular migration, China’s assertiveness, online threats, and climate change. Now seeking a second term as the President of the European Commission, von der Leyen is facing scrutiny over her past performance and policy goals. Questions about her conservative ideology have emerged, with her recent speech lacking references to Christian Democracy and facing criticism from the right for allegedly drifting towards the left.
The upcoming elections have seen both the right and left hardening their positions, putting von der Leyen’s accomplishments in the spotlight. Her policies have catered to both sides, with initiatives such as asylum procedure reforms, protection of journalists, and the European Green Deal receiving support from various quarters. The nature of the European Commission, which prioritizes consensus over ideology, has forced von der Leyen to negotiate with member states and the Parliament extensively. Key actions such as de-risking from China and supporting Ukraine blur the line between left and right perspectives, with von der Leyen framing issues as “European challenges” requiring “European solutions”.
Von der Leyen’s political beliefs remain enigmatic despite her high profile. She is known for her strong commitment to European integration, the Transatlantic alliance, and Israel. However, her stance on issues such as climate change and migration has fluctuated based on political trends, leading to accusations of opportunism. Critics argue that she lacks firm convictions and shifts between ideological positions adaptively. Her leadership style, characterized by centralization, aloofness, and avoidance of controversy, has earned her the moniker “Queen Ursula” in Brussels. While praised for leadership skills, vision, and rhetoric, she has been faulted for pushing legislation without sufficient consultation.
As von der Leyen embarks on her reelection campaign, her pragmatic approach to policy challenges remains a defining feature. She has emphasized the need for European solutions to complex problems, straddling the line between left and right priorities. Critics argue that her policy decisions are driven more by expediency than ideology, with a lack of coherent implementation. Her campaign positioning between the right and left is seen as a reflection of her adaptability rather than a strong ideological commitment. The upcoming elections will be a test of whether von der Leyen’s leadership can transcend political divides and continue to steer the European Union through turbulent times.
