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Express (12 September 2019)

URSULA VON DER LEYEN, the President-elect of the European Commission, received massive backlash for releasing a promotion video branded “propaganda” by a Brexit Party MEP.

EU: President-elect criticised over structure of new commission

The European Commission posted a video to Twitter of the President-elect presenting her plans for the new structure of the Commission. They said the new Commission was “tailored to what she wants to achieve”. In the video, Mrs von der Leyen says her new team “draws on all strengths and talents, men and women, experienced and young, east and west, south and north”.

She called the team “well-balanced”.

The German politician also presented her main priorities.

The video cites them as “a digital Europe, an economy that works for people and the ecological transition”.

She said: “I want to the European Green Deal to become Europe’s hallmark."

She continued: “At the heart of it is our commitment to becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent.”

Brexit Party MEP Martin Daubney took to Twitter to criticise the video.

He blasted it as “propaganda”.

He also pointed out that Mrs Von der Leyen’s team is “made up entirely of pro-EU voices”.

Brexit: Ursula von der Leyen says 'next steps are in UK's hands' 

He said: “Committee chair roles were purged of Eurosceptic candidates.

“The result is an echo-chamber.”

Mr Daubney added: “Today, I'm convinced more than ever, we need to Leave.”

Mrs Von der Leyen is set to replace outgoing Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker.

She served in the federal government of Germany from 2005 to 2019 as the longest-serving member of Angela Merkel's cabinet.

She is a member of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union.

She was nominated by leaders of the European Union’s member states in July at the urging of French President, Emmanuel Macron.

She ran unopposed and was subsequently elected to the office.