Ireland’s Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has supported her European People’s Party (EPP) peer, Ursula von der Leyen, asserting that her overall performance should be the determining factor. This comes as Ms von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as European Commission president is being discussed in Brussels. The Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, is due to engage in a preliminary dialogue at an unofficial European Council summit on Monday, where the necessity for her re-election will be pondered among the EU’s 27 member country leaders. However, it is unlikely that the final nomination for the European Parliament vote will be decided until a future council meeting.
Ms von der Leyen’s journey to Israel, including her unequivocal backing for the Israeli government just after the October 7th assault that initiated the Gaza war, instigated criticism against the German stateswoman from Ireland. Multiple Irish MEPs, among them members of the Coalition party Fianna Fáil, have voiced their refusal to vote for Ms von der Leyen if she were to be nominated as commission president.
During a RTÉ radio interview, Commissioner McGuinness noted how it is projected that Ms von der Leyen will be the nominee presented to the parliament given that the EPP secured the majority, 190, of seats in the recent election earlier this month. She stated that while it is the prerogative of the European Council, consisting of the state and government heads, to decide on the nominee, current signs indicate that leaders are intent on ensuring stability and mitigating uncertainty.
Von der Leyen clinched her presidential role in 2019 through a narrow margin of just nine votes in the European Parliament, courtesy of support from the EPP, the middle-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the centrist group Renew, which includes Fianna Fáil. A parliamentary majority requires at least 361 votes. McGuinness noted that while Socialists managed to retain their 136 seats in the recent election, the Renew Group lost 20, reducing their total to 80. She highlighted Von der Leyen’s potential dependence on support from the Greens, holders of 52 seats.
Ms. McGuinness emphasised that she voices the perspectives of the Irish people during commission talks, especially pertaining to Gaza. She staunchly backed Ms von der Leyen, applauding her substantial commitment to humanitarian aid and her pursuit of ceasefires, persistent peace and a two-state resolution. “I possess no scepticism regarding her competence in this field,” she stated.
In discussing the voting preferences of Irish MEPs, Ms McGuinness indicated that the certainty of the four votes from Fine Gael for Ms von der Leyen was in no doubt, however, the support of others was not guaranteed. She also cautioned against relying too heavily on a secret ballot without a significant advantage, citing the likelihood of reduced support levels.
Ms McGuinness raised a “significant inquiry” for those questioning Ms von der Leyen: who might be her substitute? “She is a well-known commission president, particularly in Ireland where people largely supported her, until the devastating events in Gaza unfolded. I entirely comprehend the deep worry of Irish citizens regarding this situation. However, her overall track record should not be overlooked,” Ms. McGuinness added.
Turning to the matter of who will be the next Irish commissioner, Ms. McGuinness confirmed that the nominee will be chosen by Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin.
Former Fine Gael MEP, Ms. McGuinness, restated her readiness to serve should she be nominated, while also clearly stating that she had no expectations or claims to the position, saying she would respect whichever choice the government makes.