Ursula von der Leyen has defended bypassing MEPs over her €150 billion defence loan scheme, telling European Parliament President Roberta Metsola the move is "fully justified" in response to Europe's "existential" geopolitical challenges.

In a letter last month, Metsola threatened legal action against the European Commission over their planned use of an emergency clause in the EU treaty, effectively shutting Parliament out of approving a €150 billion loan scheme to boost joint procurement of weapons by EU countries, known as SAFE.

European affairs ministers approved the proposal later that month – with only EU governments able to scrutinise the proposal.

Now, the Commission president has defended her move, arguing the Union is facing an "exceptional emergency situation", according to a letter dated 12 June and seen by Euractiv.