Ursula von der Leyen’s Prescriptions for EU Unity: Confronting Extremism and Upholding Democratic Values

Introduction

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and internal polarization, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emerged as a vocal advocate for centrist governance, positioning herself as a bulwark against the far right and far left.

Her rhetoric and policy agenda emphasize the existential threat of extremist factions to European unity while promoting a vision of integration rooted in democratic resilience, the rule of law, and transatlantic solidarity.

This analysis distills the core lessons she has articulated to EU member states, drawing from her speeches, policy initiatives, and responses to recent electoral shifts.

The Existential Threat of Populist Extremism

Far-Right and Far-Left Populists Share a Common Goal: Destabilizing European Unity

Von der Leyen has repeatedly framed far-right and far-left movements as existential threats to the EU’s foundational values.

In her March 2024 address to the European People’s Party (EPP) Congress, she warned that groups like Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), France’s Rassemblement National, and the far-left Confederal Left in the European Parliament (GUE/NGL) seek to “trample on our values and destroy our Europe” through nationalism and demagoguery.

Despite ideological differences, she argues that these factions exploit societal fears—whether over migration, economic inequality, or cultural change—to erode trust in democratic institutions.

Her critique extends to their governance models. Far-right leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni have centralized power while undermining judicial independence and media freedom, mirroring tactics von der Leyen attributes to “Putin’s friends” within the EU.

Similarly, although less influential in recent years, far-left movements are accused of fostering polarization through anti-EU rhetoric and resistance to centrist reforms, such as the Green Deal.

Populism Fuels External Vulnerabilities

Von der Leyen links internal polarization to external threats, particularly Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and China’s economic coercion.

She contends that fragmented societies cannot mount a unified response to hybrid warfare, disinformation campaigns, or energy blackmail.

For example, pro-Russian narratives propagated by far-right parties in Germany and France have complicated the EU consensus on sanctions and military aid to Ukraine.

Similarly, far-left skepticism of NATO and defense integration weakens the bloc’s ability to counter authoritarian alliances.

Defending Democratic Institutions: Rule of Law as the “Glue” of the EU

Rule of Law Is Non-Negotiable

Enforcing adherence to EU legal standards is a cornerstone of von der Leyen’s agenda. The Commission’s 2021 confrontation with Poland over judicial reforms exemplifies this stance.

By invoking Article 7 and withholding recovery funds, von der Leyen signaled that breaches of judicial independence would incur tangible consequences.

This approach aims to deter member states from emulating Hungary’s “illiberal democracy” model, which has systematically eroded checks on executive power.

Combating Disinformation and Hate Speech

The 2025 Global Risk Report, cited in von der Leyen’s Davos speech, identifies misinformation as the top threat to global stability. She has prioritized regulatory measures to curb online extremism, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates platforms to remove terrorist content and hate speech.

However, critics argue her administration has inconsistently applied these rules, tolerating far-right rhetoric in exchange for parliamentary support.

A Centrist Playbook for Resilience

Crisis Management Through Centrist Pragmatism

Von der Leyen’s tenure has been defined by crisis response: the COVID-19 pandemic, energy shortages, and Ukraine’s defense.

Her strategy hinges on transcending ideological divides through technocratic solutions. The €750 billion NextGenerationEU recovery fund, jointly financed through EU debt, exemplifies this approach, blending green investments with fiscal flexibility to appease both northern frugal states and southern spenders.

Similarly, her Green Deal adjustments in 2024—exempting farmers from specific sustainability rules—reflect a willingness to compromise to maintain broad coalitions.

Security Through Integration

The proposed European Defence Union (EDU), a flagship initiative for von der Leyen’s second term, seeks to reduce reliance on U.S. military support by pooling resources for joint procurement, cybersecurity, and rapid response forces.

This vision faces resistance from far-left factions opposed to militarization and far-right groups skeptical of ceding national sovereignty.

Yet, von der Leyen frames the EDU as essential for countering “a league of dictators” threatening Europe’s borders.

Electoral Realities and Coalition Politics

The EPP as the “Anchor of Stability”

Despite far-right gains in the 2024 European Parliament elections, von der Leyen declared victory for her center-right EPP, which retained its position as the largest group.

She interprets this as a mandate to marginalize extremes by building a “bastion” of mainstream parties, including liberals and moderate socialists. However, her openness to collaboration with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)—home to Meloni’s Brothers of Italy—has drawn criticism for legitimizing hard-right agendas.

The Perils of Appeasement

Left-wing critics, including the GUE/NGL, accuse von der Leyen of enabling far-right influence through backroom deals, such as appointing Meloni’s ally Raffaele Fitto as Commission Vice President.

This tension underscores a broader dilemma: isolate extremists or co-opt them to secure legislative majorities. Von der Leyen’s transactional approach risks normalizing anti-democratic actors while alienating progressive allies.

Conclusion

A Contested Legacy

Ursula von der Leyen’s tenure reflects the paradoxes of contemporary EU governance.

Her warnings against extremism and appeals to unity resonate amid overlapping crises, yet her reliance on pragmatic compromises with illiberal forces undermines the moral clarity of her message.

The key lessons for member states are clear: uphold the rule of law, invest in collective security, and reject polarization. However, her legacy will hinge on whether the EU’s centrist “bastion” can withstand the tide of populism without sacrificing its democratic soul.

As she remarked in her 2024 State of the Union address: “European unity was a dream of a few. It became a hope for many. Today, it is a necessity for all of us.”

The challenge lies in ensuring that necessity does not succumb to fragmentation.