Von der Leyen defends plan to cooperate with right-wing groups

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has again responded to critics denouncing her willingness to cooperate with right-wing groups in the European Parliament, reported dpa.

"It's about winning over the political forces that are so important for a majority in the centre," the EU leader told the German radio station Deutschlandfunk in an interview.

She said she would work with democratic parties and politicians, no matter their political group in the parliament.

"The criteria for me is that the MPs we want to work with are in favour of Europe, in favour of Ukraine against Russia, and in favour of the rule of law," she stated, referring to members of parliament.

Von der Leyen first faced criticism in April after failing to rule out cooperation in the European Parliament with the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which includes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday said he was "very saddened by the ambiguity of some of the political statements" coming from von der Leyen, who is running for a second term as president of the European Commission.

"It will only be possible to establish a commission presidency that is based on the traditional parties ... Anything else would be a mistake for the future of Europe," Scholz added.