EU chaos: Member states told to 'let go of sovereignty' and hand over more control to VDL

European Union member states have been ordered to "let go of parts of their sovereignty" for the sake of Ursula von der Leyen's control of the bloc. Sigrid Kaag, the Netherlands' Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation, told the Centre for European Reform that it was time for member states to renounce control. This comes amid growing infighting inside the EU since Brussels has endured brutal humiliation over vaccine rollout and Russia.

Ms Kaag said: "We have some politicians in every country that stifle dialogue and render many European Union issues toxic.

"Whatever channel you see, the label Europe, European Union, it is negative, it is bad. It is considered to be a loss of sovereignty.

"We have our work cut out for ourselves.

"I believe the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, our own Frans Timmermans, they are doing a fantastic job on both the leadership and the strategic agenda.

"But member-states need to also be helpful and willing to support that agenda, and to give way, to let go of parts of their sovereignty, to support the Commission in the agenda."

She said that the EU member states had to relent control of aspects including environmental and economic policy.

Ms Kaag continued: "On the Green New Deal, we all need to adjust, and the strategic agenda on the economic as well. Which sectors do we want to build up?

"A stronger, more unified Europe is needed."

This follows public cracks in EU unity in recent weeks after efforts to roll out coronavirus jabs were hindered by mass shortages.