Maastricht debate: Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA)

The Green Party’s MEP Bas Eickhout presented the most significant challenge to von der Leyen, pushing her on various issues including potential alliances with right-leaning parties like the ECR. He was the main character in one of the pivotal moment of the debate, when he questioned von der Leyen about her stance should Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invade Rafah. Von der Leyen stopped short of drawing a “red line”, stating such an action would be “completely unacceptable”and would necessitate a coordinated EU response.