The EU chief is reportedly facing scrutiny over transparency and secrecy as two no-confidence votes approach, according to the publication.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has drawn escalating criticism for her perceived failure to provide consistent and accurate information to the press, Politico reported on Wednesday.
The Commission’s media relations department, known as the “spokesperson’s service,” has been the subject of numerous complaints concerning limited access and highly controlled communication.
Reporters have been “complaining for months about being spoon-fed [sanitized press statements] and not having the real information,” Dafydd ab Iago, who heads the International Press Association, told Politico.
After discussions with 12 Commission officials, lobbyists, EU policy experts, and journalists, Politico highlighted several recent instances where von der Leyen’s office allegedly issued “confusing, contradictory or misleading information,” which critics suggest indicates a highly centralized and risk-averse leadership approach.
One incident cited was her office’s assertion that Russia had jammed the GPS on her aircraft during a trip to Bulgaria last month.
Initial briefings suggested “blatant interference,” forcing the plane to circle for an hour. However, as evidence emerged that disproved the claim, Commission spokespersons retracted, stating they had never mentioned targeting – only to later reiterate that potential interference required investigation.
Moscow dismissed the accusation as “preposterous.”
Beyond media-related complaints, von der Leyen has also encountered increasing opposition to her foreign policy stances. In her State of the Union address last month, she advocated for eliminating the unanimity rule in EU decision-making on sanctions and military aid – a move Hungary and Slovakia argued would strip member states of their sovereignty.
She has been accused of attempting to put the EU on a war footing and disregarding dissent among members by pushing for substantial military expansion and channeling billions into arms procurement, citing an alleged threat from Moscow. Russia has consistently denied claims of hostile intent.
Von der Leyen is set to face two censure votes in the European Parliament this month; supporters of these motions contend she has “failed on trade, abandoned transparency, and rejected accountability” while funneling billions into conflict and dismantling social protection.