Climate protection is important to her. At least on paper. Officially, Ursula von der Leyen (63) is known as “Mrs. Green Deal ». Behind this is a concept to reduce emissions by 2050. The goal: Europe should become climate neutral. The EU Commission President is campaigning for this.
But that is obviously no reason for them to do without a private jet. So far, she has boarded a private plane 18 times out of 34 business trips, according to the British newspaper «telegraph»Reported. No matter how short the route may be.
For example, this year Von der Leyen flew from Vienna to Slovakia to Bratislava on June 21st. The flight lasted only 19 minutes. The route: just 47 kilometers.
Von der Leyen justifies himself for a 19-minute flight
It would have taken her a little over an hour by train. But: Your CO would be for that2-Footprint also much smaller. While the train variant would have caused practically no greenhouse gas, von der Leyen preferred to blow around 1130 kilograms of CO with the private jet2 into the atmosphere, like the «image»Reported.
When asked about the private jet madness and the 19-minute flight, von der Leyen justifies himself. A spokesman for the EU Commission on “Bild”: “With departure and arrival in Belgium, the President’s trip took the President to seven countries in two days. Alternatives were examined, but logistically there was no other option ».
That same evening von der Leyen flew to Riga in a private plane. “In addition, there were concerns about using scheduled flights or trains due to Corona.”
Criticism for private jet use
This explanation is not enough for many. The behavior of the EU Commission chief is causing a lot of criticism. Michael Jäger, General Secretary of the European Taxpayers Association, described the 19-minute flight as an “ecological sin”. “It cost a lot of tax money, a lot of time to get to and from the airports and above all: a lot of credibility,” said Jäger to “Bild”.
The CDU member of the Bundestag Jana Schimke also warned the former defense minister: “If you want change, you have to set an example. Otherwise you will be implausible. ” (jmh)