Ursula von der Leyen This Wednesday, before the plenary session of the European Parliament, he promised to govern “from the center” and “to work with all the pro-European democratic forces” during his second term at the head of the European Commissionin which the promotion of innovation and the competitiveness of the economy and the strengthening of the security and defense of the continent have been set as priorities.
As a prior step to the investiture vote, The president presented her entire team of 26 commissioners at the plenary session in Strasbourg (one per Member State), which have already passed the individual parliamentary examinations in a process that was on the verge of being derailed by the crisis caused by the case of Teresa Ribera. The Spanish PP wanted to overthrow it for its management in the DANA of Valencia, but in the end it was ratified last week thanks to an agreement between popular Europeans, socialists and liberals.
“In recent weeks, you have scrutinized every member of this college. You have tested their ability for the jobs they will perform. I know it has not been easy. But overcoming divisions and forging compromises is the hallmark of any living democracy.“, the president concluded.
Regarding Teresa Ribera, who will be first executive vice president of Competition and Ecological Transition in the new European Government, the German has said that she is “well prepared to ensure that we have a modern competition policy in order to sustain our ambitions.” “She is an authentic and devoted European. And together we will always work for the European interest,” says Von der Leyen.
“We will work with all the pro-European democratic forces in this House. And as I have done during my first term, I will always work from the center. Because we all want the best for Europe and the best for Europeans. So it’s time to unite,” claimed the German.
The German has assured that her first major initiative in this second term will be to present a “Competitiveness Compass”based on the recommendations of the report of the former president of the ECB, Mario Draghi. An initiative that will consist of three pillars: ending the EU’s innovation gap with respect to the United States and China; promote a joint plan for decarbonization and competitiveness; and improve the security and defense of the continent in “an increasingly dangerous world.”
The president of the Commission, during her speech this Wednesday in the European Parliament
“War is ravaging Europe’s borders. And we must be prepared for what awaits us, working hand in hand with NATO. We know that we have to do much more together as Europeans. Just a number: Russia spends up to 9% of its GDP on defense, while Europe spends an average of 1.9%. There is something wrong in this equation,” the president highlighted.
“Our defense spending must increase. We need a single market for defense. We need to strengthen the defense industrial base. We need to improve our military mobility. And we need common European defense projects,” Von der Leyen claims. For the first time, the German company has appointed a Defense Commissionerthe Lithuanian Andrius Kubelius, who has been commissioned to present a White Paper on the future of European defense in the first 100 days of his mandate.
“I can assure you that the security of Europe will always be the priority of this Commission,” said Von der Leyen.
Once the investiture vote takes place, the new European Commission will assume its functions and will start working next December 1.
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