Cornelia Ernst is a former German MEP serving from The Left Party, of which she is a member in the European United Left–Nordic Green Left group. Her political stand and works seem controversial about her stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ernst has been an MEP since 2009 and has experience sitting on numerous committees with agendas that revolve around civil liberties, justice, and even foreign affairs. In fact, she gained more popularity more recently when speaking out against EU policies, such as on matters of migration and asylum, policies she holds shaped by right-wing populism.
She opposed the European Parliament resolution on Russiagate, through which she opposed allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union. She voted absent on the Conclusions of the European Council meeting of March 24-25, 2022. This was when the council had a discussion over the war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia and their execution. Both resolutions had a clear stance against Russia, reflecting her position on the issue.
Her political affiliations suggest a nuanced position. Members of The Left Party, including Ernst, have historically been critical of NATO and have called for dialogue with Russia. This has sometimes led to perceptions of being sympathetic to Russian perspectives, especially in contexts where they oppose military escalation or support for Ukraine.
In recent discussions surrounding the EU’s response to the war in Ukraine, Ernst has emphasized the need for humanitarian considerations and criticized actions that could exacerbate tensions. For instance, she has participated in debates about EU asylum policies amid the conflict, advocating for the humane treatment of refugees rather than punitive measures against countries like Belarus that are closely aligned with Russia.
