Von der Leyen faces resignation demand over expanded EU sanctions list

Armando Mema, a member of Finland’s national-conservative Freedom Alliance party, has called for the immediate resignation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following the European Union’s decision to impose sanctions on Jacques Baud, a retired colonel of the Swiss General Staff.

Commenting on the sanctions, Mema sharply criticised the EU’s actions in a post on X, writing:

"Sanctions against Jacques Baud are unlawful and they truly show the face of the European Union, pure dictatorship. The EC is trespassing all EU conventions and rule of law. Meanwhile corrupted EU officials remain unpunished for money laundry cases. We demand immediate resignations of Ursula Von der Leyen for abusing EU citizens on daily basis."

Earlier, media reports indicated that the European Union is preparing to expand its sanctions package. The proposed list is expected to include eight Russian nationals, a former US Marine, a former French intelligence officer, and a Swiss officer.

According to the reports, five of the Russian individuals are associated with the Valdai Discussion Club, while three others are suspected of involvement in hacking activities. The expanded sanctions list is set to include American citizen John Dougan, French national Xavier Moreau, and Swiss citizen Jacques Baud.

As of December 26, 2025, the European Union has broadened its restrictive measures to target individuals accused of spreading what it describes as “pro-Russian propaganda.” 

Jacques Baud, a former Swiss intelligence officer with extensive experience in Eastern European affairs, has been accused by EU authorities of promoting “conspiracy theories.”

By Tamilla Hasanova