Ursula von der Leyen has secured a second term as President of the European Commission. However, her reappointment comes with a stark contradiction—what we now call the Rainbow Paradox. While her first mandate saw key advancements in LGTBIQ+ rights, the early signs of her second term indicate a disturbing shift.
Von der Leyen’s First Term: A Strong LGTBIQ+ and Gender Equality Agenda
Between 2019 and 2024, von der Leyen’s Commission took historic steps in supporting LGTBIQ+ rights across the European Union:
✅ Adopted the first-ever LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, setting a framework for promoting and protecting LGTBIQ+ rights at the EU level.
✅ Proposed a regulation on the free movement of rainbow families, aiming to ensure that same-sex parents and their children have their family status recognized across all EU member states.
✅ Introduced legislation to classify hate crime and hate speech as ‘Eurocrimes,’ aiming for stricter legal consequences against anti-LGTBIQ+ violence and discrimination.
✅ Strongly condemned Poland’s ‘LGBT-free zones,’ calling them a clear violation of fundamental rights and the EU’s values.
✅ Defended Hungarian LGBTQIA+ individuals against attacks from Viktor Orbán’s far-right government, which continues to push anti-LGTBIQ+ policies.
✅ Advocated for gender equality, recognizing that LGBTQI+ rights and women’s rights are inherently linked, as both face systemic discrimination rooted in patriarchal norms.
These actions positioned von der Leyen’s Commission as a progressive force on equality issues. However, following the 2024 EU elections, the political landscape has shifted dramatically.
A More Conservative European Parliament: What Does This Mean?
The 2024 European elections resulted in a much more right-leaning European Parliament. While von der Leyen managed to secure a second mandate, she did so only with the support of a significantly more conservative majority, including MEPs from far-right and ultraconservative parties.
🔵 2019-2024 Parliament: Outgoing European Parliament had 703 seats with a larger progressive and centrist presence.
🔵 2024-2029 Parliament: The new European Parliament now has 720 seats, with a stronger right-wing and far-right representation.
This conservative turn has direct consequences for EU policies on human rights, including LGTBIQ+ and women’s rights. The need for political compromises to maintain her coalition means von der Leyen is already showing a softer stance on key issues.
Early Signs of Regression Under von der Leyen 2.0
Despite the European Commission’s previous commitments to equality, early actions (or inactions) from von der Leyen’s new term indicate a backslide on both LGTBIQ+ and gender rights.
⚠️ No reaction to Italy’s new law banning surrogacy – A law criminalizing international surrogacy for Italian citizens, disproportionately affecting LGTBIQ+ couples and women who rely on assisted reproductive technologies.
⚠️ No response to Bulgaria’s recent anti-LGTBIQ+ law – Legislation that restricts LGTBIQ+ rights, following in the footsteps of Hungary’s discriminatory policies, reinforcing patriarchal norms that oppress both LGTBIQ+ individuals and women.
⚠️ Downgrading of the ‘Commissioner for Equality’ role – The previous role, dedicated to promoting and ensuring gender and LGTBIQ+ equality, has been rebranded as ‘Commissioner for Crises and Preparedness,’ signaling a shift in priorities away from human rights protections.
These developments suggest that von der Leyen’s new Commission is less willing to stand up for human rights in the face of growing conservative pressure. Countries that defend “traditional family values” often do so to reinforce patriarchal structures, which lead to lower gender equality index scores and systematic discrimination against both women and LGTBIQ+ communities.
No Room for Compromise on Human Rights
As LGTBIQ+ and feminist activists, we must hold the European Commission accountable.
🛑 LGTBIQ+ rights and women’s rights are human rights. They should NEVER be a political bargaining tool.
🛑 The EU cannot claim to be a ‘Union of Equality’ while making alliances with those who criminalize same-sex families and restrict women’s rights.
🛑 Silence is complicity. We demand a clear, firm commitment from von der Leyen’s Commission to protect and expand LGTBIQ+ and gender rights across Europe.
The question is clear: will von der Leyen 2.0 defend equality, or will she sacrifice human rights for political convenience? The time to act is NOW.