Ursula Von der Leyen outlines vision for second term as EU Commission president

Strasbourg (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has conveyed to the European Parliament that she will concentrate on defence, security, and climate policy if given a second term, ahead of a vote in Strasbourg.

What Are von der Leyen’s Plans If Re-elected?

“Let us choose strength,” she told the Parliament, pledging a “European Democracy Shield”.

Ms von der Leyen tried to address the worries of each political group in a wide-ranging address ahead of the vote, in which she pushed a series of policy pledges.

Ms von der Leyen, who has held the job of EU Commission president since 2019, will require 361 votes in the 720-seat EU Parliament to confirm another five years in the job. Ursula von der Leyen underlined her vision for a more robust and more prosperous Europe. Key endeavours include a new Clean Industrial Deal to push decarbonisation and industrial growth, and a European Competitiveness Fund to promote innovation. 

How Will Europol and Border Guards Expand?

She revealed that she would increase security by doubling Europol’s staff and tripling the number of European Border and Coast Guards to 30,000. She presented a European Democracy Shield for disagreeing foreign information manipulation and interference and a European Affordable Housing Plan.

How Will von der Leyen Boost EU Climate Policy?

Also, Ms von der Leyen proposed a plan for agriculture to handle the need to adapt to climate change and a Roadmap for Women’s Rights. Stating that “we must enable young people to make the most of Europe’s freedoms”, she stressed the importance of the Erasmus+ programme, mental health, and coping issues related to screen time and social media, including addictive patterns.

Will von der Leyen Focus on Defense and Security?

Similarly, She put considerable focus on defence, proposing to institute a new post of Commissioner for Defence to drive the European Defence Union and calling for a sweeping aerial defence system – a European Air Shield – to safeguard EU airspace and “as a strong symbol of European unity in defence matters”. Ms von der Leyen restated the EU’s unwavering backing for Ukraine, reaffirming that “Europe will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes”. 

What Are the New Commissioner Functions Announced?

New Commissioner functions announced include Housing, to cope with the continent’s housing situation; the Mediterranean, to promote regional stability and collaboration; and Intergenerational Fairness, to ensure policies regard the needs of future generations.

How Do MEPs Respond to Her Speech?

On the other hand, in responding to her speech, MEPs highlighted the importance of listening more to workers, farmers, and industry perspectives. They greeted the new policy emphasis on housing and underlined the need for fair international competition, firm support for Ukraine, ending the war in Gaza, and more useful migration control. 

Further, many urged continuous efforts to push back against the advancement of far-right politics and to increase social justice, climate action, and gender parity. Several MEPs wanted more emphasis on the fight against poverty, and unemployment, and for a solidarity-based Europe.

Moreover, some MEPs also discussed the importance of attending to citizens’ desire for protection, identity, and sovereignty, abandoning excessive regulation and mass immigration while also calling for strategic autonomy. Furthermore, some MEPs condemned current economic and agricultural approaches, supporting instead a Europe of free and sovereign nations.