Ahead of the Maastricht debate for leading candidates for the European Elections, the European Green Party calls out Ursula Von der Leyen, the European People’s Party (EPP) candidate for the position of de European Commission President, to confirm her participation in the debate. Von der Leyen has so far failed to confirm her participation in this cornerstone of European democracy. Ursula Von der Leyen is notably absent from the list of confirmed participants with the date of the debate (29 April) fast approaching.
Bas Eickhout, leading candidate of the European Green Party who confirmed his participation in the Maastricht debate early on: “Ursula Von der Leyen is claiming to defend European Democracy, yet she has refused to run in the European Parliament elections, and has failed to clarify whether she will participate in any of the election debates. European citizens deserve to know which plans and ideas their leaders have for the future of Europe. Debating these ideas and being accountable is a cornerstone of European democracy."
The importance of European democracy, while war is raging on the European continent, cannot be overstated. All major European Parties have made an agreement to run candidates for the Commission Presidency, in order to further those democratic goals. The European Greens take this very seriously and we are committed to upholding our promise to voters. The best protection of Europe’s democracy is to participate in it.
Bas Eickhout continues: “Why is Von Der Leyen hiding instead of defending her position? Especially with EPP actively undermining key legislation such as the Green Deal, we expect Von Der Leyen to show up and be held accountable on the issues she once championed.”