Von der Leyen launches election campaign in Athens vowing to ‘fight back’ Putin’s EU friends

EU Commission chief and centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) candidate for the European Elections, Ursula von der Leyen, vowed to “fight back” far-right “Putin’s friends” who wish to “hijack” Europe’s future.

Launching her EU campaign in Athens at the 50th anniversary of Greece’s ruling New Democracy party (EPP) event, Ursula von der Leyen attacked Russian President Vladimir Putin and his European allies.

She stated that in the upcoming EU elections in June, “our united and peaceful Europe is being challenged both from within and outside.”

Outlining the many threats Europe now faces, she said, “Russia not only tries to wipe Ukraine off the face of the earth. But Russia’s aggression is broader: Undertaking hybrid attacks against Europe for years. Be it through cyber attacks or manipulation of social media or instrumentalisation of migrants.”

She added that “Putin’s friends here in Europe” are trying to “rewrite our history and hijack our future, whether in the guise of populists or demagogues.”

“Whether this is the AfD in Germany, the Rassemblement National in France, the Konfederacja in Poland, or others, the names may be different, but the goal is the same: They are trampling on our values and want to hijack our future.”

The EPP’s lead candidate for a second mandate at the EU Commission helm added, “In the days, weeks, and months ahead, our job is to fight back.”

For his part, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who, together with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, nominated von der Leyen’s second bid for the EU Commission, said Europe has no room for experiments.

“Do we have margin as Greece, as Europe for experimentation and new adventures at this juncture?” said Mitsotakis, calling on people to participate in the EU elections.

In his speech, Mitsotakis lashed out against the opposition socialist and left parties, saying the economic crisis lasted longer in Greece because “populism prevented it from reviving”.

EU defence: The ‘mark’ of the future

Referring to defence, she stressed that Europe must step up spending collectively.

“Europe must spend more, spend better, and spend European,” she said, citing Greece as an example of a country that spends over 2% of its GDP on defence.

Outlining one of her key election promises, she said: “As war is not a thing of the past in Europe, defence cooperation must be the mark of the future in Europe. And that is exactly what we will stand for in this campaign.”

On the economic front, von der Leyen noted that Europe’s social market economy and competitiveness should be boosted, and backed the Green Deal saying it turned the fight against climate change into a plan for growth, clean industry, and social fairness.

“Now we need to continue supporting our industry and small businesses to implement,” she said.

Why Athens?

According to a source from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the choice of Athens to launch her campaign was twofold.

First, it coincided with the 50th anniversary of Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, the strongest EU centre-right party within the EPP in a national government.

In addition, the source said the choice of Athens is also “symbolic” as the event is taking place in Zappeion Hall, where, on 28 May 1979, Greece signed its accession to the European Communities.

“As the general secretary of the European People’s Party and as a Greek, it is a great honour for the party I represent that Ursula von der Leyen will start her EU campaign from Athens,” Thanasis Bakolas, secretary general of the EPP, told Euractiv.

Weber praises Greek economy, stance on Erdoğan, Putin

On Saturday, speaking at the 50th anniversary of the New Democracy event, EPP’s president, Manfred Weber, praised Mitsotakis, saying he took a stagnant country and turned it into “Europe’s fastest growing economy”.

“My country, Germany, is currently in stagnation under the left-wing government in Berlin while Greece is one of the economic powerhouses in Europe,” said Weber.

According to the European Commission’s forecast, the Greek economy’s growth is expected to remain broadly stable at 2.3% in 2024 and 2025.

Though its public debt remains the highest in the Eurozone, it’s been following a downward trend.

However, inflation has skyrocketed prices, and in most polls, Greeks consider it their primary problem.

Weber also said Mitsotakis “stood up” to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and protected Europe’s borders. Referring to a recent EU-Egypt migration deal, he said, “The state authorities decide who enters Europe and not the smugglers.”

Criticism from Greek opposition

Meanwhile, the opposition in Greece criticised von der Leyen’s decision to launch her EU campaign in Athens.

Kostas Arvanitis, a member of the European Parliament and the leftist Syriza party, told Euractiv that von der Leyen picked Athens to launch her campaign amid growing concerns over the country’s rule of law.

“She is launching her campaign in the most difficult moments for the rule of law in Greece, with a very clear message of condemnation from the European Parliament for the Greek government,” he said.

The EU Parliament recently adopted a resolution critical of the Greek government for the poor results in the rule of law, raising a long list of issues: Poor media independence and SLAPPs, the so-called “Greek Watergate” wiretapping scandal, which saw politicians, businessmen, and journalists having their phones bugged with illegal Predator spyware, as well as alleged efforts to prevent the country’s independent privacy watchdog (ADAE) from shedding light on the case.

Read more: Metsola to discuss Greek rule of law case in Athens visit

The EU socialists have called on the EPP to “stop covering” the Greek Prime Minister.

In an interview with Euractiv that will be published on Monday morning, the leader of the opposition New Left, Alexis Charitsis, commented:

“The anti-institutional behaviour of the Commission’s president who works as a party leader in the service of Mr Mitsotakis is one more reason for him and New Democracy to be denounced at the ballot box”.

In a post on X, Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld called on von der Leyen to ask “some questions” about Greece’s rule of law while being there.

“While you are there, maybe ask a few questions about the democratic rule of law? Just a reminder that the European Commission must enforce EU laws and Treaties”, the liberal EU lawmaker said.

(Sarantis Michalopoulos | Euractiv.com)

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