Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy is calling on the Irish Government to withdraw support for the re-appointment of the current European Commission President.
Deputy Carthy has been critical of Ursula von der Leyen for what he has called "her partisan interventions in support of Israel" during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Sinn Féin spokesperson on foreign affairs and defence reminded candidates in the upcoming Europen elections that one of their first tasks as new MEPs will be to ratify the nomination for Commission president. Deputy Carthy appealed to them not to support von der Leyen's appointment to the role for a second time. Competency for foreign policy at a European Union level lies with the European Council at which each member state has a veto," Matt Carthy said in a statement. "Ursula von der Leyen's actions were in clear and direct contravention of this reality. She should not be rewarded with a second term in office.
