If media is a central balance in democracies – the crucial “fourth estate” whose function is to hold the executive to account – then it’s an institution the European Commission seems uneasy with, at least judging by the most recent attempt to put Ursula von der Leyen through the wringer.
The episode concerns an “interview” with the Commission President, which was published by six European newspapers on Sunday.
Whilst an interview with the bloc’s president would be a ripe opportunity to press her on issues concerning the Union at large, critique her responses in real time, perhaps even relay her body language, it transpired that what was billed as an “exclusive” hearing with Brussels’ most senior official wasn’t quite the cross-examination one learns about in journalism school.
Rather, the performance passed off as an interview was in fact carefully written responses to pre-submitted questions, with no possibility of edits. Von der Leyen did not submit to a grilling from prying journalists; nor did the blood drain from her face as a curveball caught her off-guard; she didn’t shift uncomfortably as she stared down her questioners, and there’s a good chance she didn’t even read the questions.
Instead, she laid on a spread for the CEOs and top editors of the media outlets who participated in the interview at the Berlaymont – a decidedly more congenial occasion to build ties with the media, without the pressure of getting stung in the encounter.
The electorate was tipped off about this PR stunt by Belgian newspaper Le Soir, which stayed true to the journalistic cause by revealing the whole charade, and the Commission’s staunch refusal to allow an in-person meeting with her highness.
Unedifying though it all was, the Commission deputy spokesperson, Olof Gill, came out punching in Monday’s midday press briefing, telling reporters to “give me a break”. As if our ranks are filled with tetchy cynics, inevitably unsatisfied with any honest attempt to inform the public.
Which feels unwarranted, when all that was asked for is a chance to do our job. And Gill will know better than most that “a break” is the one thing reporters will not grant him or his employer.
Roundup
Break up big tech protests – Activists and NGOs protested outside the Berlaymont on Monday morning, calling on competition chief Teresa Ribera to break up Google’s business. The Commission recently fined the US tech giant €2.95 billion for breaching EU competition rules in the ad-technology market.
Jørgensen headed to the Arctic – The EU energy chief will visit Greenland on Tuesday as part of a wider EU bid for critical raw materials – of which the island has many but has struggled to kickstart its mining industry.
EU capitals take the axe to corporate and tobacco levies – The Commission’s proposal to fund the next EU budget with corporate and tobacco levies is hanging by a thread, after a Commission presentation triggered pushback from EU countries.
Across Europe
Strict welfare laws – Germany may pressure Brussels to tighten social welfare benefit rules for EU citizens, according to Carsten Linnemann, the general secretary of the governing Christian Democrat party and a close confidant of Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He argued that immigrants outside of Germany come to the country, work only a few hours a week and immediately access welfare benefits.
New surveillance systems – NATO will deploy Turkey’s MEROPS air surveillance system in Poland and Romania, aiming to speed up responses to drone threats recently posed by Russia. The surveillance system can be mounted on helicopters and drones, and can detect enemy systems through clouds and dust. Implementation and training on the system will begin as early as next week, with Ukraine’s support.
A ‘small diplomatic tsunami’ – France’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state will “create momentum,” the president’s special adviser on the Middle East told Euractiv. He added that the recognition will mean that Israel is not attacking a “territory of undetermined status,” but rather committing a similar offence as Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
