EU Parliamentarians Criticise von der Leyen Over Foreign‑Policy Inconsistencies and Energy‑Price Surge
Brussels – European Parliament members openly challenged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, accusing her of double standards in foreign policy and of failing to protect EU citizens from rising energy costs. The criticism came during a debate on the Union’s Middle‑East strategy and energy‑security measures.
MEPs from several political groups said the bloc lacks a coherent response to recent crises. Belgian MEP Kathleen Van Brempt argued that the EU’s credibility is eroded by “double standards” – sanctioning Russia over Ukraine while remaining silent on Israel’s actions in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.
Italian MEP Roberto Vannacci compared the EU’s inactivity in the Middle East to “cockroaches that freeze and play dead when the predator arrives,” suggesting that a stricter lockdown of the European Commission itself, rather than of member states, could have prevented “a lot of damage and a lot of pain.”
Portuguese MEP João Oliveira blamed von der Leyen’s silence on “pressure” from the United States, noting that the Commission has not condemned aggression against Iran, Israel’s operations in Lebanon, or the displacement of over 1.2 million Lebanese people. Oliveira also warned that EU energy policy is dominated by multinational interests and called for an end to “neoliberal control of the energy sector,” adding that no measures have been taken to curb prices or support farmers.
Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz warned that the EU remains caught in a recurring dependency cycle, saying that shifting reliance between external suppliers is a “dead‑end street” rather than a sustainable solution. He emphasized the negative impact on the economy, citizens, and energy prices.
Polish MEP Grzegorz Braun, who has repeatedly warned that EU policies could lead the bloc into conflict, used the provocative term “Madame Reichsführerin” – a reference to Nazi‑era ranks – to describe von der Leyen. He argued that the current energy crisis is not temporary but the result of “deeply wrong decisions.”
The debate reflects growing frustration within the European Parliament over the Commission’s handling of simultaneous geopolitical tensions and the energy price spike that has affected households and businesses across the Union. Lawmakers called for clearer guidance, stronger coordination with member states, and concrete measures to stabilize energy markets.
The next steps include a parliamentary vote on the proposed EU Middle‑East strategy and further discussions on energy‑security legislation. Continued pressure from the Parliament is likely to shape the Commission’s policy agenda as the Union seeks to balance external security challenges with internal economic stability.
