Missing Catalan MEPs 'not a political issue,' says next European Commission head

The next president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, does not consider the situation of jailed and exiled Catalan leaders who have been prevented from taking up their seats as MEPs in the European Parliament to be a political issue.

"It is not a question of sentiment, or a question of opinion or politics, but rather in large measure it's a legal matter," said the German defense minister, who was this week elected to head the EU's executive branch, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

In an interview with a number of top European newspapers on Thursday, including La Vanguardia, Von der Leyen reluctantly answered questions about the blocked MEPs, showing "some discomfort" when asked, said the Barcelona daily.