Chancellor is obligated to "recommend Ursula von der Leyen once more" as per Merz.
Friedrich Merz, the head of the CDU party, has urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a member of the SPD, to endorse EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term. Merz requested the German government, consisting of the SPD, FDP, and Greens, to acknowledge that the Union emerged victorious in the European elections. He believes that this means the Chancellor is obligated to "recommend Ursula von der Leyen once more" as a member and president of the EU Commission. Many other prominent members of the CDU agree with Merz's stance.
The SPD has laid out certain requirements for the upcoming EU Commission. These demands have essentially made support for von der Leyen's potential second term contingent on certain conditions being met. One such condition is avoiding collaboration with any political entities viewed as adversaries of democracy and the rule of law. Von der Leyen has openly considered working alongside the right-wing ECR faction, which includes Italy's Fratelli d'Italia party led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Delivering a speech at the CDU headquarters in Berlin on Sunday night, Merz expressed his gratitude to the Union for their successful election result. Von der Leyen, who connected to the event via video conference, praised the Union for their performance, stating, "We are thrilled with what you have presented... strongest force, stable, especially in difficult times. Heartfelt congratulations to Berlin." She also acknowledged the remarkable job done by the Union.
In response to Merz's offer, Merz stated that teaming up with the federal government on major domestic and economic issues would necessitate a significant shift in the Ampel government's current direction. This collaboration would also potentially lead to a decrease in the influence and influence of extremist parties such as AfD and BSW in Germany.
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- Despite the SPD's requirements for the EU Commission, Friedrich Merz, the President of the Commission's advocate, maintains that Chancellor Scholz is Mandatory to recommend Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, given the Union's election victory.
- Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the Commission, has to make a Choice about collaborating with the right-wing ECR faction in the upcoming EU Commission, as this could potentially meet or conflict with the SPD's conditions for her potential second term support.
- Merz, the Chancellor, and von der Leyen had a congratulatory exchange during a CDU event, with von der Leyen acknowledging the Union's robust performance and expressing her appreciation for their significant accomplishment.
