Aphrodite Latinopoulou criticizes Ursula von der Leyen in European Parliament
On September 17, 2026, Aphrodite Latinopoulou, leader of the Voice of Reason party and a member of the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, launched a verbal attack against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The incident occurred during a session of the European Parliament, with von der Leyen present in the hall to hear the remarks.
Latinopoulou, who was elected to the European Parliament in 2024, explicitly labeled the Commission President a racist, citing the handling of illegal migration as a primary grievance. Beyond immigration, she criticized the European Commission's current governance, arguing that policies regarding the European economy, excessive taxation, and bureaucratic hurdles are stifling European citizens.
These criticisms reflect Latinopoulou’s long-standing political stance, which has consistently focused on migration, the green transition, and fiscal policy since her election. Her address marks a significant escalation in the ongoing opposition between her party and the leadership in Brussels, highlighting the growing political divide regarding the direction of the European Union's internal and external policies.