The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is a candidate with the European People’s Party (EPP) for a second term in the Presidency of the Commission, ruled out today the possibility of cooperating within the European Parliament with parties “friendly” to the Russian president Putin, after the European elections in June.

During a press conference she gave together with EPP leader Manfred Weber in the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen was asked about the possibility that the majority that would support her would include the ECR group of conservatives and Eurosceptics.

“I work with pro-European, pro-NATO, pro-Ukrainian groups and with those who clearly support our democratic values,” was von der Leyen’s response, noting that it is more a question of content. As he said, the European elections bring change in the composition of the different political parties and groups in the European Parliament.

“Those who defend democracy against Eurosceptics, those who defend our values ​​against Putin’s friends. They are the ones I want and know I can work with,” he added, stressing that it is impossible to work with those who are against the rule of law and friends of Putin.

For his part, Manfred Weber recalled that the current European Parliament had a marginal majority in favor of the election of Ursula von der Leyen this term. He expressed concern because anti-European parties friendly to Putin are growing stronger, according to opinion polls. He stressed the importance of maintaining stability and added that his message for the European elections is that citizens should take them seriously because there is a lot at stake. He added, finally, that for the EPP, the red line is clear: “yes to Europe, yes to Ukraine, yes to the rule of law.”

It is noted that the ECR group of the European Parliament includes, among others, the Polish Law and Justice party (PiS), the Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’ Italia) of Georgia Meloni, the Spanish Vox, as well as the newly founded Reconquest of Eric Zemur.