Von der Leyen’s holiday to Greece prompts criticism from top EU watchdog

The European Ombudsman blasted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding her free summer vacation at Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ home in Crete.

Von der Leyen’s holiday on the sunny Mediterranean island as a guest of the Greek premier in 2023 spurred criticism from former European lawmaker Sophie in ’t Veld who requested access to documents about the trip from the Commission and later filed a complaint to the Ombudsman about the issue.

In ’t Veld noted that the EU executive was “conspicuously silent” on numerous sensitive political issues relating to Greece, including migrant pushbacks, an investigation into a migrant boat tragedy, a spyware scandal targeting politicians and journalists in the country, and the undermining of independent oversight bodies by the Greek government.

The top EU watchdog wasn’t impressed either, in findings published late Monday.

“The Ombudsman closed the case, finding that how the Commission handled the public access request, including the delay in stating that no documents existed, amounted to maladministration,” European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly said.

According to a release from the Ombudsman’s office, O’Reilly “also considered particularly regrettable the delay by the Commission President’s cabinet in replying to the internal consultations.”

The Commission’s “incomprehensible” and unlawful yearlong delay in responding to complaints amounted to maladministration, O’Reilly said.