Facing an election and multiple crises, Ursula von der Leyen has downplayed her Green Deal achievements to appease various factions within the EU.
Karl Mathiesen reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, has minimized her climate agenda amid electoral pressures.
- Manfred Weber and the EPP have heavily opposed her Green Deal, reflecting broader conservative dissatisfaction.
- Interviews reveal von der Leyen's covert efforts to advance her climate policies despite public concessions.
Key quote:
"If a leader is playing both sides — something that we are experiencing now — you have a problem."
— Teresa Ribera, Spanish Deputy Prime Minister
Why this matters:
Von der Leyen's maneuvers highlight the political challenges of sustaining ambitious climate policies in the face of economic and electoral pressures. The future of the EU's climate agenda may hinge on the upcoming election and von der Leyen's ability to navigate internal party conflicts. Critics, however, warn that de-emphasizing the Green Deal could jeopardize the EU's leadership role in global climate action.
