MEP breaks cover to savage 'weak' Ursula von der Leyen: 'She's jeopardised the economy!'
URSULA VON DER LEYEN is too weak to lead the EU Commission President and has jeopardised the bloc's economic future in the long-term, an MEP has claimed.
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Following the failed coronavirus vaccine rollout and controversy surrounding the embarrassing "sofagate" episode, Dutch MEP Rob Roos claimed Ms von der Leyen is not a "strong leader".
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Roos said: "I think to be honest, I think she's weak.
"She's not a very strong leader."
Following the fallout from the "sofagate" gaffe, Ms von der Leyen and EU Parliament chief Charles Michel, faced MEPs to attempt to show unity.
Some have claimed the EU's geopolitical position on the international stage has now been harmed following the gaffe in Turkey – which saw Ms von der Leyen sidelined without a chair while the Turkish President and EU Council chief Charles Michel sat down during a key summit.
The EU has also come under fire for the failed vaccine rollout which Ursula von der Leyen has spearheaded.
Due to the failed vaccine roll-out, many EU states have been forced to go back into lockdown or enforce lockdown-like restrictions.
As a result, Mr Roos claimed the European Commission has now put the bloc's economic recovery in jeopardy.
With the continent experiencing a third wave of the virus, Mr Roos warned the bloc "has a big problem" in kickstarting the EU's economy.
Asked whether the Commission has jeopardised the bloc's recovery, he said: "I'm sure of that.
"I look at my own country, the Netherlands, we were in an alliance with Germany and France and Italy, to purchase the vaccine.
"Then the European Union said they wanted to do it.
"Now we have some vaccines are a little bit cheaper, but the price that is in the end, much, much higher because of all the lockdowns.
"Economically, it's a big problem.
"The faster you can go back to normal, the better it is.
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"So it's penny wise and pound foolish."
Due to the EU's failed vaccine programme, France has been forced to call a third lockdown across the country until April 26.
Germany has also brought in tighter restrictions while most of Italy will now be classed as in red or orange zones until April 30.
In contrast, non-essential shops reopened in the UK in tandem with hospitality venues that have outdoor seating.
The EU's vaccine programme has been compromised due to the supply issues surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Indeed, due to fears over blood clots from the drug, vaccine take-up has also been hindered in several EU states.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has also been forced to delay exports of the vaccine due to concerns in the US over blood clots.