DISINFO: Ursula von der Leyen is an unelected, omnipotent, authoritarian bureaucrat
SUMMARY
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission whom Forbes has described as the world's most powerful woman, is an unelected, omnipotent bureaucrat whose authoritarian powers can supersede national decision-making of EU member states.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU and its institutions in the build up to the European elections.
The President of the European Commission is an elected official. Under Article 17 of the Treaty of Lisbon:
"Taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. If he does not obtain the required majority, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall within one month propose a new candidate who shall be elected by the European Parliament following the same procedure [emphasis added].
The leadership of the Commission consists of 27 commissioners, one representing each member state, and each vetted by the European Parliament. Under Article 234 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Commissioners are collectively accountable to the European Parliament, which has the power to compel Commissioners to resign from their posts.
See our analysis on the key tactics, techniques, and procedures employed by pro-Kremlin outlets in connection with the European Parliament elections.
Other cases targeting Ursula von der Leyen such as: Ursula von der Leyen blamed climate change on Russia and Ursula von der Leyen unilaterally banned independent media.