Several high-ranking EU representatives have grown tired of Ursula von der Leyen's substandard leadership and now want to remove the President of the European Commission.
This is according to Swiss media, which argues that a change in leadership could steer Europe in a much more positive direction again.
Journalist Philipp Gut argues in Die Weltwoche that EU policy is in an "obvious crisis" – with the trade war with the US in the West and the war in Ukraine in the East – while at the same time there is "a protracted and, for Europe, unflattering power struggle with China".
"Internally, there is disagreement, division and constant harassment of member states such as Hungary, which assert their sovereignty and democratic rights. Giorgia Meloni is breaking away from the anti-Trump camp and moving closer to the US president. Relations with rebellious Switzerland are also strained", he notes, continuing:
"As is sometimes brutally expressed: the fish rots from the head down. In this case, the head of the EU is personified by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen".
Failed in most respects
He points out that von der Leyen has on several occasions opposed the US, not least with regard to the peace process in Ukraine. She has also taken a clear stand against Donald Trump and his opponents in several respects.
"All this has a background that hardly speaks for von der Leyen's diplomatic skills or statesmanship. She interfered in the US presidential election and took a resolute stand for Biden – a diplomatic faux pas with repercussions", Gut continues.
He also points out that the economic outlook is bleak and that the EU's stance toward the US hardly strengthens the Union's position on trade issues.
"Added to this are tendencies toward a surveillance society and continuing problems with respect for democracy. EU diplomats are openly threatening to strip Hungary of its voting rights. Her handling of the coronavirus pandemic has also left deep scars: secret messages and a refusal to provide transparency on agreements concluded behind closed doors have not been forgotten", he argues.
"A departure could unlock a lot"
According to the journalist, the EU is currently in a "deplorable state" and, if it were a normal state, people would be asking whether it was time to replace its leadership.
"But the EU is not a state – let alone a normal one. Nevertheless, there are now voices in diplomatic circles who believe that Ursula von der Leyen has become an increasingly toxic figure. A departure could unlock a lot", he assesses, concluding:
"A change of leadership would at least give European politics the chance to become more diverse and open again – both towards the West and the East. An idea worth reflecting on".
