In the lead-up to the European Parliament elections on June 9th, Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, showed 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.
Perhaps 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. This delay, with no specified timeline for release, added to the uncertainty surrounding her stance on environmental issues. It appears that the fear of losing her reappointment influenced von der Leyen’s approach to green policies, leading to compromises and delays in crucial initiatives.