The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has drawn this Thursday her red line on the “Putin’s friends” and the rule of law, although has avoided pointing out directly to far-right groups such as Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) or Identity and Democracy (ID)while extending his hand to the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Melonisince both work “very well”.

This was stated by the European Popular Party (EPP) candidate to renew the position, this Thursday in the electoral debate organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels.

“We will work with all those who are committed to Europe”stated Von der Leyen, who clarified that she is not talking “about groups, but about MEPs” to avoid referring to specific forces, after listing what will be the red lines of her alliances: “Pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine and the State of Right”.

Asked specifically about her contacts with Meloni, whose party is part of the ECR group in the European Parliament, Von der Leyen pointed out that both have worked “very well” and highlighted that she is “clearly pro-European” and that she is “against Putin”, although he has admitted that his approach to LGTBI policies is “completely different”.

Also participating in the debate wereThe candidates of the Social Democrats (S&D)Nicolas Schmit; of the liberals(Renew)the Italian Sandro Gozi; of the Greensthe German Terry Reintke, and of the European Leftthe Austrian Walter Baier, while the representatives of the extreme right groups of the Conservatives and Reformists or of Identity and Democracy have not been invited, since, according to the EBU, they have not presented any candidate.