Elon Musk criticizes the president of the European Commission: “Your position, as the leader of the EU, should be chosen directly by the people”
Billionaire Elon Musk told European Commission President Usrula von der Leyen on Wednesday, November 12, that “she should be elected directly by the people”.
Elon Musk/PHOTO: Shutterstock
“If democracy is the foundation of freedom, surely your position as leader of the EU should be directly elected by the people?”wrote Elon Musk in a message addressed to Ursula von der Leyen that he posted on the social platform X, which he owns, writes News.ro.
In another post, the Tesla and SpaceX chief added that “EU leader” it should be “elected by the people” the European bloc, “not appointed by a committee”.
Elon Musk reacted in this way to Ursula von der Leyen's unveiling of the European Democracy Shield, a new strategy for intensifying the fight against foreign interference online, including in elections.
“Democracy is the foundation of our freedom. Democracy is the foundation of our prosperity. Democracy is the foundation of our security”wrote von der Leyen on social networks.
She first floated the Democracy Shield idea in a campaign speech at last year's Copenhagen Democracy Summit as she ran for a new term as Commission president ahead of the 2024 European elections.
The President of the European Commission – the head of the EU executive, although it is not literally “EU leader” – it is proposed and voted by the European Council, made up of the 27 heads of state and government of the EU, for a five-year mandate.
The proposed candidate must also win the vote of the members of the European Parliament, who are elected by the electorate of their respective countries.
