The European Commission’s budget proposal for 2028–2034 has drawn unprecedented criticism from across the European Union—from the European Parliament and member states to NGOs representing a wide range of sectors. In this article, we seek to explain why.
Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed strong EU support for Ukraine’s war effort and reconstruction, prompting criticism from Hungary’s political director, who accused Hungarian opposition parties of backing foreign interests over national ones.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a vote of no confidence on Thursday after making significant concessions to left-wing political groups in the European Parliament. Despite the failure of the vote, von der Leyen’s reputation has been seriously damaged, and her hold on power now depends entirely on the will of the left.
Viktor Orbán has delivered a sharp jab at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, posting the infamous ‘Time to go’ meme ahead of her no confidence vote. The image mirrors one the EPP once used against Orbán himself.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her speech during Monday’s motion of censure debate not to take accountability for Pfizergate, but instead to frame her political opponents as ‘Putin apologists’ and ‘conspiracy theorists’. The debate laid bare everything that is wrong with EU leadership and the lack of accountability among unelected bureaucrats.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride march—scheduled for Saturday—to proceed, despite new legislation banning it. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán urged von der Leyen not to interfere in Hungary’s domestic affairs.
The EU’s General Court has delivered a major blow to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, annulling Brussels’ refusal to release her COVID-era text messages with Pfizer’s CEO. The ruling exposes deep flaws in EU transparency and intensifies scrutiny over the €35 billion vaccine contract central to the Pfizergate scandal.
Despite their advocacy for increasingly stringent green policies, EU leaders—including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—took a private jet last week from Brussels to Luxembourg, a journey that would have taken just over two hours by car. The scandal has cast a shadow over von der Leyen’s week, already clouded by an eagerly anticipated EU court ruling concerning the so-called Pfizergate text messages.
‘If we look at the crises that have damaged the EU in recent years, and evaluate them through the lens of the EU’s real interests, it becomes increasingly clear that Viktor Orbán is not the EU’s greatest threat—but its most pro-EU leader. In fact, he might be the only one.’
Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó pointed out that the sudden shift of EU leaders on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine is ‘politically ridiculous’ and highlights their lack of credibility. However, it also raises the question of responsibility for Brussels’ failed strategy over the past three years.