Due to misgivings about her leadership and track record on the green transition, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen can count on the support of just one Slovenian party in her bid to become the European People's Party lead candidate at the EU elections.

While New Slovenia (NSi) plans to vote for her at the EPP's congress in Bucharest, which kicked off on 6 March, the Democrats (SDS) and the People's Party (SLS) will not, the parties have told the Slovenian Press Agency.

The SDS, Slovenia's biggest EPP member, has long been critical of the chief of the EU's executive. MEP Romana Tomc has described her as "a weak leader" at a time when Europe needs determination and actions, not just words in the future.

Similarly, MEP Milan Zver said he was not happy with her work in this term, especially as regards the green transition.

The SLS, a non-parliamentary party in Slovenia, says the von der Leyen's candidacy itself and the fact that she is offered as the only candidate are unacceptable.

MEP Franc Bogovič said that Europe had drifted away from fundamental European values under her leadership, mindlessly insisting on an ideological green transition that is destroying European farmers and threatening food and energy security.

In contrast, the NSi's delegation will support von der Leyen, noting she had led the EU in the challenging Covid era and during many international crises and has to a large extent managed to stabilise the bloc and keep it integrated.

However, the party is critical of her moves in managing migration and respect for the Schengen rules, and the green transition.

The NSi points out that their support in the European Parliament, once she is formally a candidate for the top Commission job, depends on whether she will advocate the party's values and thus the European way of life, and support a change in the EU's direction towards a sensible green transition and better management of migration.