The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) accused the European People's Party's (EPP) leadership of breaking "pro-European democratic forces" following "irresponsible behaviour" during a Commission hearing on Tuesday.
Members of the right-wing factions in the European Parliament strongly criticised the S&D candidate for the European Commission, Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, on Tuesday evening.
Spain's Environment Minister was nominated by President Ursula von der Leyen as the Commissioner for Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition. She will be tasked with overseeing environmental and climate policies and ensuring compliance with competition rules.
During her hearing on Tuesday, Ribera was blamed by right-wing MEPs for "negligence" in the recent floods in Spain. Conservative and Christian Democratic MEPs argued that Ribera could have prevented the flooding and, therefore, is unsuitable to be a European Commissioner.
"You are responsible for disaster preparedness, river management, and flood prevention," said Spanish MEP Dolors Montserrat (Partido Popular). She argued that Ribera should not be appointed and should resign if legal proceedings arise in Spain. The far-right Patriots for Europe faction also opposed Ribera’s candidacy. "She belongs in the defendant’s box in court," stated Spanish MEP Jorge Villalba (Vox).
Ribera acknowledged the need for stronger measures to combat the effects of climate change, including improved preparedness and warning systems to better protect people. But she was forced to repeatedly note the competency for issuing flood warnings lay with the regional government in Valencia, which is led by the EPP's own Partido Popular (PP).
Following this, the S&D accused the EPP of putting the EU "on the brink" for the sake of a "destructive" Spanish Partido Popular agenda. The S&D supported EPP for von der Leyen's second presidency – on the grounds the two groups would form a pro-European majority against the rising Eurosceptic far-right.
"The Spanish Partido Popular is trying to make Teresa Ribera the scapegoat for their failure to manage the most catastrophic floods in Europe’s recent history," the S&D concluded.
Teresa Ribera Rodriguez' confirmation hearing. Credit: EP/Philippe Buissin
The S&D faction expressed outrage at the EPP’s stance. Kathleen Van Brempt (Vooruit) called their position "radical and unreasonable," accusing them of aligning with far-right elements. "This is troubling. What price must Europe pay for Manfred Weber’s hunger for power?" she asked, referring to the German EPP leader.
'Only misinformed citizens'
On Wednesday, a debate calling for urgent action for the floods in Valencia in the European Parliament was also marred by tensions. The socialists issued another warning to the EPP to "stop the blame game".
"In the face of a scenario of death, suffering and destruction, the Partido Popular and its far-right partners have only misinformed citizens, fuelled hatred and disrespected public services," said Iratxe García Pérez, leader of the S&D group. "The dignity that we owe to the victims requires transparency and the absence of lies."
Pérez underlined that on 29 October, regional President of Valencia, Carlos Mazón, ignored the red alert for floods that the State Meteorological Agency had issued at 07:36 in the morning. "He waited more than 12 hours to send an alert message. But, by then, many people were already trapped or dead."
Despite the attacks coming from her own political group, President von der Leyen (EPP) was forced to confirm she still has full confidence in Ribera on Wednesday evening. If approved, Ribera is set to hold one of the most important portfolio in the new Commission and will also be Vice-President of the European Commission.
The parliamentary factions will evaluate the hearings in the coming days. Given the animosity between the S&D and the EPP, the discussions are expected to be contentious.
