Pressure on EU defense divides Dutch MEPs
STRASBOURG – VVD, CDA, GroenLinks-PvdA, and D66 support the additional efforts that President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission deems necessary, as well as extra support for Ukraine. BBB disagrees and argues that defense is not actually an EU competence. They say this in response to von der Leyen’s annual speech that she delivered on Wednesday in the European Parliament.
“The drone incident last night shows how urgent that support is,” says VVD Member of the European Parliament Malik Azmani. “It’s time for action. Europe must stand on its own two feet.”
BBB faction leader Sander Smit believes that von der Leyen spoke too much like a “field marshal.” “She needs to focus on the core tasks of the European Union.”
D66, NSC, and Volt want to see more leadership from the Commission President. The SGP believes that too much is being regulated at the European level.
“There is quite a gap between her rhetoric and what she actually delivers. She often bends too much to the EU member states, where she should actually be strict,” says Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66). Reinier van Lanschot (Volt) and Bas Eickhout (GroenLinks-PvdA) also feel that von der Leyen often only offers words. “We need actions. With 27 captains, you can barely set the course, but you can’t lead a ship,” says Van Lanschot.
“Europe needs leadership in uncertain times. The time for talking is over. As a Union, we must take action to remain a credible player on the world stage,” says NSC member Dirk Gotink.
Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) believes that von der Leyen “is still too focused on one Europe.”
(September 10, 2025)
