EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is under scrutiny for allegedly not keeping records of her informal talks with candidates for commissioner positions, including a conversation with Spain’s Teresa Ribera.
Background and Criticism
The issue dates back to 2024 when Politico requested documentation of a conversation between Ursula von der Leyen and Teresa Ribera, who was a candidate for commissioner. The European Commission delayed responding for months, leading to two complaints being filed with the European Ombudsman.
Commission’s Response and Transparency Concerns
Almost a year later, Commission Secretary General Ilze Juhansone admitted that “informal talks with selected candidates took place orally, and no documents were drawn up.” This situation has been criticized by transparency advocates, who argue it undermines trust in the administration.
Potential Vote of No Confidence
The controversy comes as the European Parliament prepares to vote on two no-confidence motions against von der Leyen, submitted by The Left and Patriots for Europe parties. To pass, each motion needs support from two-thirds of the 720 MEPs.