VDL walks a tightrope as Germany’s staggering rise in far-right support could topple EU chief
Ursula Von der Leyen is walking a tightrope as Germany’s staggering rise in far-right support could topple the EU chief
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Ursula Von der Leyen is walking a tightrope as Germany’s staggering rise in far-right support could topple the EU chief.
Far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has seen a surge in support in recent months, as the public is said to feel it is "not represented" by mainstream parties.
This is particularly worrying for Ursula von der Leyen, who is gearing up for the 2024 EU election, as Germany’s backing is critical to whether the EU chief can remain in power.
The right-wing party Alternative for Germany has seen its numbers grow in recent months, overtaking mainstream parties in Germany as disastisfaction with their offerings grows.
Germans have turned their back on mainstream politics, causing AfD to have more support than any of the three parties current in power, incuding that of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the SDP.
A survey released in June showed that the ruling coalition of Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Liberals (FDP) would now only accrue 38 per cent of the vote.
But AfD would take 19 per cent of the vote on its own.
German businessman Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, explained the rise in an Op-Ed for Politico, saying: "The party’s recent advances are a result of an increasing sense among broad swathes of the population that they aren’t being represented by traditional political and media elites".
Pressure is mounting on Von der Leyen as Hungary, with far-right politician Viktor Orban at the helm, is hoping to form a right wing majority in the European parliament.
Worryingly for the EU chief, Orban's Political Director, Balázs Orban, has warned that Hungary’s support for Von der Leyen is no longer a given either.
Speaking to Politico, he said: "We were very supportive of her. But now she’s pushing her own political agenda without consulting member states, on geopolitics, relationship with the U.S. and China, on war issues, sanctions."
He accused Von der Leyen of being at the helm of a "divisive" routine, saying that "the way the Commission is operating is not good for unity".
He added: "They come up with a proposal and then put pressure on member states to say yes."
However, Hungary does not have a veto over the election of the next EU commission chief.
AfD has more support than any of the three parties currently in power, incuding that of Chancellor Olaf Scholz
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As a member of the council, it has a vote on whether Von der Leyen wil have a second term, but EU leaders are not required to reach a unanimous decision.
Regardless, Hungary is hoping to form a right wing majority in the European parliament, with Balázs Orbán optimistically saying: "I think we have a chance, I think it will be very close.