Fianna Fáil MEPs to back Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission in upcoming vote – The Irish Times

Four Fianna Fáil MEPs are set to back European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen when the European Parliament votes to confirm the next chief executive of the EU as a whole next week.

Fianna Fáil MEPs broke with their centrist faction in Parliament in July by voting against Dr von der Leyen as she sought a second term as head of the body that proposes EU laws.

All Irish MEPs except four Fine Gael members opposed Dr von der Leyen in the July vote, criticizing her early response to the Gaza war, which was seen as unconditional support for Israel following the Hamas attacks on 7 October.

At the time, Fianna Fáil’s opposition was criticized by Fine Gael as damaging Ireland’s reputation among Dr von der Leyen and reducing the job prospects of former Chancellor of the Exchequer Michael McGrath, who had been nominated to become Ireland’s next EU Commissioner.

The commission members, appointed by each country and making up the political leadership under Dr von der Leyen, had individual confirmation hearings in parliament this month. MEPs will now vote to approve the new commission as a whole at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Four Fianna Fáil MEPs – Billy Kelleher, Barry Cowan, Barry Andrews and Cynthia Ní Mhurchu – have confirmed they plan to vote to approve the new commission.

Ms Ní Mhurchu said that while she had voted against Dr von der Leyen getting another five years as commission president a few months ago, things were now at a “different stage”. Her vote on Wednesday will be one of confidence in her Fianna Fáil colleague Mr McGrath, who has been given an “excellent and influential position” as Justice Commissioner.

Labor MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said he was likely to vote for the commission, despite also openly opposing Dr von der Leyen in July. Mr Ó Ríordáin said he was happy he had succeeded in putting the EU commissioner in charge of housing and was concerned about the destabilization of European politics by the far right.

“At some point we’re going to have to get to work, at this point I’m inclined to support a vote on the commission,” he said.

Ciarán Mullooly, an independent Ireland MEP who sits on the Renewal parliamentary group with Fianna Fáil members, is also expected to vote in support of the commission. Michael McNamara, the independent MEP for Southern Ireland who is also part of the Renew group, did not respond to questions about his intentions.

Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Fanchion and independent Luke “Ming” Flanagan will vote against the commission.

Four Fine Gael MEPs – Sean Kelly, Regina Doherty, Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry – are expected to vote in favor of creating the commission.