Von der Leyen slammed for misleading media – Politico

The EU chief has faced criticism over transparency and secrecy ahead of two no-confidence votes, according to the outlet

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has faced growing criticism over her failure to provide consistent and accurate information to the press, Politico reported on Wednesday.

The so-called “spokesperson’s service,” which handles media relations for the Commission, has drawn numerous complaints for limited access and tightly controlled messaging.

Reporters have been “complaining for months about being spoon-fed [sanitized press statements] and not having the real information,” Dafydd ab Iago, head of the International Press Association, told Politico.

After speaking with 12 Commission officials, lobbyists, EU policy experts, and reporters, Politico highlighted several recent incidents where von der Leyen’s office gave “confusing, contradictory or misleading information” that critics say reflects a tightly centralized and risk-averse leadership style.

One example was her office’s claim that Russia had jammed the GPS on her plane during a trip to Bulgaria last month.

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Initial briefings suggested “blatant interference” that forced the aircraft to circle for an hour. But as evidence disproved the claim, Commission spokespersons backtracked, saying they had never spoken of targeting – only to later return to the line that possible interference had required investigation.

Moscow dismissed the allegation as “preposterous.”

Beyond media complaints, von der Leyen has also faced increasing pushback for her foreign policy positions. In her State of the Union speech last month, she urged scrapping unanimity in EU decision-making on sanctions and military aid – a move Hungary and Slovakia said would strip member states of sovereignty.

She has been accused of trying to put the EU on a war footing and ignoring dissent among members by pressing for a large-scale military buildup and channeling billions into arms procurement, citing a supposed threat by Moscow. Russia has consistently rejected claims of hostile intent.

Von der Leyen faces two censure votes in the European Parliament this month, with supporters of the motions saying she has “failed on trade, abandoned transparency, and rejected accountability” while funneling billions into war and gutting social protection.