The European Parliament is embroiled in a contentious debate over surveillance powers, ignited by a legislative proposal concerning citizen communication and escalating with a provocative demand targeting Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Martin Sonneborn, leader of the satirical political party Die PARTEI and a newly appointed Member of the European Parliament, has formally tabled a motion calling for targeted monitoring of von der Leyen’s SMS communications – a move sharply criticizing the broader scope of the parliamentary control system.
Sonneborn voiced his opposition to the recently approved framework, arguing that its indiscriminate nature posed a serious threat to fundamental rights. “Instead of blanket surveillance of all citizens, we should prioritize monitoring the SMS communication of the Commission President-under specific, justified circumstances” he stated in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.
The proposed system, drafted by the Council of the European Union, has drawn condemnation for its potential to create an “Orwellian surveillance system” a concern echoed by Sonneborn, who warned that such tools could be exploited by even fringe political groups like the AfD should they gain power.
Sonneborn’s direct criticism of von der Leyen centers on past controversies surrounding the deletion of SMS messages. He argues, “We remain in the dark regarding crucial decisions, such as the inflationary pricing of COVID-19 vaccines in the Pfizer deal, the objections raised by French President Macron to the controversial EU-Mercosur trade agreement and the unexplained expenditures on corporate consultants during von der Leyen’s tenure as Defense Minister”. The missing data, he contends, hinders accountability and transparency.
The proposal for targeted surveillance, Sonneborn maintains, is not an act of aggression, but rather a means to fulfill a promise made by von der Leyen herself before her election as Commission President. He emphasizes that monitoring her communications would rectify a deficit in transparency and ensure greater scrutiny of the Commission’s actions.
The move has predictably sparked fierce debate within the European Parliament, pitting defenders of privacy rights against those advocating for enhanced oversight and raising significant questions about the balance between security, accountability and the erosion of civil liberties within the European Union. The request highlights a deeper crisis of trust, prompting a vital discussion about the responsible exercise of power and the limits of surveillance within a democratic framework.