Numerous centrist and center-left lawmakers also accused von der Leyen of bowing to her center-right European People’s Party, which declared its opposition to the rule last week.
The statement prompted the Polish Council presidency, which runs the negotiations on behalf of EU countries, to pause talks over the uncertainty, saying it would “wait for clarity from the European Commission on its intentions.”
The process eroded further on Monday, when Italy officially pulled its support for the law, killing the majority supporting the deal and bringing negotiations to a complete halt.
Despite the Commission’s seemingly having prompted the collapse of the talks, the Commission official said it was up to EU countries to find a way forward.
“It’s up to the Council to state what its intentions are, and then we see from there. But that’s because of the Italians withdrawing; the Commission has not withdrawn,” the Commission official said.
The Polish presidency told POLITICO that EU ambassadors will discuss the topic on Wednesday.
“Since a lot has happened in recent days, it’s important to take time to hear from [EU countries] and carefully reflect on the way forward together,” a spokesperson said.