https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/04/biden-pushing-ursula-von-der-leyen-nato-head-ben-wallace/
Brussels chief has emerged as frontrunner amid difficulties finding a successor to Jens Stoltenberg, who has had his term extended
Oh God he should have looked how she was as defence minister in Germany before suggesting this 🙈
As if competency is anything to consider with these figurehead positions. All that matters is how well-connected they are and how willing they are to whore their office out for the Military Industrial Complex.
Ensuring Europes continued reliance on US defense by undermining NATOs capabilities tobbecome a self reliant organization.
Here you heard it first!
Considering that the EPP might get a full majority with the far right in the next European election I don't think this is good news. For the ones complaining about von der Leyen just look to the rest of EPP, Manfred Webber for starts, everyone looks so much worse... better to keep Ursula.
At the commission she did a good job with the vaccines and supporting Ukraine. I actually think she was not a bad president of the commission, considering her background and her predecessors, she was definetely an upgrade. Remember Barroso? Juncker?
If you don't want an EPP president than better to start voting S&D parties now :P but I think it's unavoidable that the next one will also be an EPP person, they control most govs, so better if it's Ursula.
That said, Roberta #Metsola sounds to be available, maybe she wouldn't be a bad option.. if Ursula does go to NATO.
That is actually very diplomatic. It would convince the Russians and the Chinese that NATO is really not a threat. On the other hand, it would really not be a threat anymore.
NATO chief is an irrelevant position with zero power. Frankly when she was Dutch Minister of defense she had way more effect on NATO capabilities.
Typical EPP move.
I really hate that they did that, cause the whole Spitzenkandidat process really seemed like a great way to get people to pay more attention to EU politics and the EU parliament.
This is not confirmed yet. And anyway, can you imagine Manfred Webber president of the commission? It would have been so much worse. I'm in favor of the Spitzenkandidat if we get transnational lists and parties running with their European affiliation on the ballot.
Her term is over next year, so that fits. Might even be the primary reason they extended Stoltenberg for one year.
