Revolt in the EPP

Will her own party bring down Ursula von der Leyen?

Von der Leyen no longer has many friends: she even has to fight for her post with the Greens.(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE)

On July 18, the old and new EU Commission President needs an absolute majority of parliamentarians. The secret ballot could turn into a fiasco even if Austria refuses to vote. Ursula von der Leyen herself is working hard with the Greens and Socialists to save votes. It's all about the ban on combustion engines and the Green Deal.

The parliamentary group meeting of the united European Conservatives a few days ago was more entertaining. EPP leader Manfred Weber made an energetic effort to convince the old and new parliamentarians to support von der Leyen. But it's not really working. "She is currently promising everyone everything. Ursula von der Leyen is only interested in Ursula von der Leyen and not in Europe," an Austrian Brussels functionary scoffed. This unflattering opinion is shared by French, Irish and German MEPs.