President Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership is heavily critisised, particularly her lack of transparency and accountability, which undermines her credibility as a leader of the “free world.” Amid a significant diplomatic week involving global leaders like Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Emmanuel Macron, von der Leyen was notably absent from meaningful engagement with the press. While other leaders held lengthy press conferences and took unscripted questions, von der Leyen limited her interactions to a mere 140 seconds of controlled questioning at a summit in London. This reluctance to face scrutiny stands in stark contrast to her accumulation of unprecedented political power within the Commission, which she has centralized in her own hands.

Von der Leyen’s avoidance of public accountability is a critical flaw in her leadership. Unlike national leaders who regularly face the press and opposition, von der Leyen rarely holds press conferences where she can be questioned openly. Her spokeswoman, Paula Pinho, tryed to defend her by pointing the minimal time she allocates to journalists, but this only underscores the lack of genuine engagement. The Commission’s refusal to disclose how many press conferences von der Leyen has held during her term further fuels criticism of her opaque leadership style.

Von der Leyen’s failure to subject herself to scrutiny is particularly problematic given the EU’s influence and the geopolitical challenges it faces, such as the security crisis in Europe. Her self-proclaimed “geopolitical” Commission demands greater accountability, yet she operates in a manner that shields her from tough questions. This lack of transparency not only weakens democratic oversight but also raises doubts about her ability to lead effectively. In a time when strong, accountable leadership is crucial, von der Leyen’s poor leadership risks eroding trust in the EU’s institutions and their ability to address pressing global issues.

It was a matter of time before her lack of leadership skills, become obvious to all…