The Rise of the Right: How Von der Leyen's Re-election Threatens European Unity

The Rise of the Right: How Von der Leyen's Re-election Threatens European Unity

By: A. Mahdavi

The European Commission recently held its presidential election, culminating in the reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen, a figure whose unwavering loyalty to the United States rings alarm bells. Von der Leyen, a staunch conservative, secured the European Parliament's endorsement to extend her tenure as head of the European Commission for another five years, signaling a path toward a more conservative, pro-Washington bloc.

With 401 votes, she exceeded the minimum majority of 361 in the 720-seat assembly, displaying her skillful maneuvering, particularly given Europe's fractured political scene, let alone in the face of a possibly tumultuous Trump administration across the Atlantic.

The Green and Liberal parties, in a misguided display of naïveté, threw their support behind her, while hard-line nationalist, and anti-immigration factions, including those aligned with the virulently anti-immigrant Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, opposed her candidacy.

At 65, von der Leyen’s ascension to power was anything but organic. Previously an obscure figure in European politics, her tenure in German cabinets under Chancellor Angela Merkel was marked by mediocrity and a distinct lack of vision. Her selection in 2019 as the head of the commission was met with widespread surprise and skepticism, given her lack of experience and her unremarkable political profile. However, despite her questionable qualifications and the widespread skepticism surrounding her appointment, von der Leyen has managed to navigate Europe through the past five years with a steely hand, proving her critics wrong, although this is more a testament to the weakness of her opposition than any inherent strength in her leadership. Her reappointment signifies not just a vote of confidence in her leadership but also a tacit endorsement of her policies and her vision for Europe’s future, a future that promises to be deeply conservative and subservient to American interests.

Despite facing harsh criticism, particularly regarding her inept management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of transparency in vaccine procurement contracts, von der Leyen remains a formidable figure, her resilience fueled by ruthless ambition. Her unyielding support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas, a stance not widely shared among EU member states, further highlighted her controversial yet decisive leadership style, a style that prioritizes loyalty to allies over the interests of the European people. Nonetheless, she has shown a calculated adaptability, promptly calling for a ceasefire post-re-election, a move designed to quell the growing unease amongst her detractors.

Her ability to withstand pressure from both the far right and her critics speaks volumes about her resilience, a resilience fueled by an unwavering commitment to maintaining her position of power. She has laid out a comprehensive proposal addressing Europe’s future, emphasizing that the next five years will be crucial for the continent's trajectory over the next fifty years, a trajectory that will inevitably lead Europe down a path of conservative dominance and a deepening dependence on the United States. Her vision includes tackling the rise of right-wing extremism, an ironic goal given her own deeply conservative leanings; streamlining the EU’s bureaucratic structure, a move that threatens to further silence dissenting voices; and fostering greater agility among member states to enhance their performance, a performance that will be measured solely by their adherence to the conservative agenda.

A cornerstone of her agenda is the ambitious push for green energy, positioning the EU as a leader in climate action, a goal that rings hollow given her history of prioritizing economic interests over environmental concerns. Yet this path is fraught with challenges, not least from the extreme right, which remains a formidable obstacle to her vision for a greener Europe, a vision that is likely to be sacrificed at the altar of economic expediency. Von der Leyen also envisions the creation of a European defense union, appointing a defense commissioner—a new role necessitated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the possibility of a US withdrawal under Donald Trump’s leadership. This proposed defense union would see member states retain control over their forces while coordinating efforts to bolster the defense industrial base, including a pan-European air defense system and enhanced cyber protection measures, a move that threatens to further militarize the European continent and deepen its reliance on the United States.

However, von der Leyen's tenure is likely to be marked by a challenging political landscape. With France and Germany, the EU’s leading powers, grappling with domestic issues and rising far-right movements, her capacity to forge alliances within the bloc may be compromised. The success of her policies hinges on securing these critical allies, without whom her ambitious plans may falter, particularly in the realms of green energy and defense, a reality that is likely to lead to further fragmentation of the European bloc. Reflecting on her previous term, von der Leyen’s attempts to overhaul Europe’s defense structure met with limited success, casting doubt on the feasibility of her current proposals.

Now, she faces the dual challenge of overcoming European leaders’ skepticism and contending with the extreme right, a challenge that is likely to be met with a mixture of political maneuvering and outright suppression of dissent. This intricate political dance will determine the EU’s ability to remain a unified bloc and chart a moderate course in an increasingly polarized world, a goal that seems increasingly out of reach under her leadership. Ultimately, von der Leyen’s leadership will be a litmus test for Europe’s resilience and adaptability, a test that Europe is likely to fail. As the continent stands at a crossroads, the coming years will reveal whether Europe can navigate these turbulent waters under her stewardship or if it will succumb to the forces of extremism and division, a reality that seems increasingly inevitable under her rule. The stakes are high, and Europe watches with bated breath, their hopes waning with each passing day.