Legutko’s critique of the European Commission
In a Strasbourg debate at the European Parliament, Polish MEP Ryszard Legutko pressed the case that the rule of law has been distorted into a caricature. He spoke in a session with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, following her address on the State of the European Union. Legutko argued that the union risks drifting toward an oligarchic model and warned that treaties are being overlooked while the Commission appears to become a machine that can influence national policies. He recalled moments when voters in Italy faced pressure during elections, underscoring his view that the Commission lacks tools to interfere in democratic processes within member states, unlike leaders in other regions.
Legutko suggested that the leadership should focus on self-correction, urging Von der Leyen to disclose all information related to vaccine contracts, including communications between the Commission and pharmaceutical executives. He asserted that such transparency would demonstrate a commitment to lawful conduct, calling for full openness about the negotiations on Covid-19 vaccines.
The EU’s current trajectory under scrutiny
The MEP asked whether the European Union is better off now than two decades ago, answering in the negative. He pointed to concerns over stability, persistent conflicts, inflation, looming recession risks, and gaps in migration and security policies as key indicators of strain in several member states where large migrant flows converge.
Regarding sanctions on Russia, Legutko stated that while the Commission eventually acted, the response arrived too late. He reminded listeners that prior to the invasion, the bloc did not adequately address the German-Russian energy relationship, arguing that this failure contributed to a deeper energy crisis. He also labeled migration policy as a failure, noting ongoing human trafficking and the erosion of social cohesion in parts of Western Europe. He contrasted high crime rates in some Western European countries with lower figures in others, noting sharp differences in reported incidents and urging a more effective approach to security and social policy.
On the Commission’s climate and energy agenda, Legutko criticized the Fit for 55 plan as an expensive policy that may raise living costs and energy bills by 2030. He argued that the Commission’s silence on this issue signals misalignment with public expectations. He also referenced the so-called Nature Recovery Act and questioned the leadership direction of Timmermans, suggesting a shift toward national politics rather than unified EU action. He expressed hope that voters would reflect their judgment through the ballot box.
The Polish politician highlighted concerns about a projected debt level of 800 billion euros by 2026, predicting that costs would exceed earlier projections. He argued that the EU budget was under strain, with billions in deficit and a perception that markets trust in EU messaging more than in member state fundamentals. He warned against mistaking propaganda for reality and emphasized the need for credible financial governance.
Throughout the discussion, Legutko noted calls for a more active European stance on migration and social policy. He cited ongoing challenges in human trafficking, social fabric integrity, and security as areas where EU leadership should show decisive action. He also touched on reactions to movements within the Parliament and Council concerning natural resource recovery and the broader climate and energy policy framework.
The discussion also featured other voices in the European Parliament. Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party group, praised current leadership and collaboration with the Parliament, highlighting decisions on vaccines, the reconstruction fund, the Green Deal, rule of law safeguards, and sanctions on Russia. He stressed unity and strength in pursuing shared goals for Europe, speaking of a common, forward-looking agenda for citizens.
Iratxe García Pérez, leading the Socialists and Democrats group, urged stronger participation on social issues, calling for policies that address inflation, housing costs, and debt to support a robust social pillar and sustainable prosperity. Stephan Sejourné, representing the Renew faction, described Europe as increasingly engaged on behalf of its citizens, praising pandemic cooperation and Ukraine support while highlighting the Green Deal as a model for ecological transition. Philippe Lamberts of the Greens argued for open immigration policies as a humane, practical necessity and stressed EU leadership in addressing displacement and regional stability. He warned against fortress-like policies that would benefit smugglers and deepen humanitarian crises, urging collective European action in reception and integration efforts. Marco Zanni of Identity and Democracy characterized Von der Leyen’s speech as aiming to secure another term through an election-focused manifesto.
In summary, the debate reflected a spectrum of opinions on how firmly the European Union should steer integrity, security, energy independence, social policy, and migration while balancing member state sovereignty and shared commitments. The session concluded with a call for continued dialogue and accountability across EU institutions, as policymakers weigh the balance between timely action and adherence to legal frameworks.