Votes for Fine Gael are votes for Von Der Leyen
Labour’s Dublin candidate for the European elections Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD has expressed his concern at Ursula von Der Leyen’s decision to seek a second term as president of the European Commission.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said:
“A vote for Fine Gael in the forthcoming European elections is a vote for Ursula Von Der Leyen. The S&D Group is the only group that can challenge the ideology of the EPP led by Ursula Von Der Leyen and Labour will fight for every vote in June.
“We are also particularly concerned about her remarks calling for a Defence Commissioner. A vote for Fine Gael is a vote for military minded, insular, defence focused Commission, which we utterly oppose.
“In addition, Von Der Leyen’s interventions on Gaza in particular have not been representative of Ireland’s position as she has continued to support Israel despite their on-going bombardment.
“The European project was founded out of a desire to end war and secure peace. Von Der Leyen’s rhetoric and actions have shown she does not represent this. She clearly has no aspirations for real peace, and this Fine Gael Government are supporting that.”