Ursula von der Leyen’s Green U-Turn: How the European Commission Head’s Hesitancy Towards Unpopular Environmental Policies is Raising Concerns on Reappointment and Commitment to Sustainability

As the European Parliament elections approached on June 9th, Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, faced criticism for her hesitancy towards unpopular green policies. Despite previously championing the EU Green Deal as a significant step towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, von der Leyen seemed to backtrack on her support.

One notable instance was in February when von der Leyen blocked a proposed law aimed at reducing the use of pesticides in farming. Additionally, she relaxed some of the environmental requirements tied to subsidies in the EU’s common agricultural policy. These decisions raised eyebrows and led to speculation about von der Leyen’s commitment to environmental policies.

However, it appears that von der Leyen’s fear of losing her reappointment influenced her approach to green policies, leading to compromises and delays in crucial initiatives. The most concerning move was von der Leyen’s choice to postpone the publication of a heat-pump action plan that had been set for earlier in the year without a specified timeline for release. This delay added to the uncertainty surrounding her stance on environmental issues and raised concerns about her commitment to sustainability goals.

Overall, von der Leyen’s actions have raised questions about whether she will be able to uphold her promises regarding green policies if reelected or appointed as head of state again.