European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday made a final pitch to win EU lawmakers’ backing for a second term, vowing to bolster Europe’s defence and strengthen its industry through greater investment.
The EU chief is seeking support from a wide range of political parties, from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party to the Greens, in a vote scheduled for later Thursday.
In her almost hour-long speech in the European Parliament, von der Leyen outlined her vision for her second five-year term, promising to enhance Europe’s competitiveness, invest in key industries like defence, and maintain ambitious climate goals, despite some contradictions in her promises.
She emphasized the need to address conflicts near Europe and the importance of a “strong Europe” in a period marked by uncertainty and anxiety.
If reappointed, von der Leyen will face challenges such as the war in Ukraine, Middle East tensions, and trade disputes with China.
She positioned herself as the most experienced leader to tackle these issues and reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
– ‘Vaccine contracts scandal’ –
Prior to the vote, von der Leyen faced criticism for lack of transparency regarding coronavirus vaccine contracts.
Despite some opposition, von der Leyen’s supporters are confident she will secure enough votes to win the re-election.
She belongs to the largest political group in the parliament and has been engaged in negotiations to secure the necessary votes.
– Tripling border guards –
To gain support, von der Leyen outlined her plans, including initiatives such as a “European Oceans Pact” and increasing border guards to tackle issues like disinformation.
If elected, she will focus on addressing Europe’s housing crisis and strengthening Frontex, the EU’s border agency.
