The incumbent President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was re-elected by the European Parliament for a new five-year term. She received 401 votes, exceeding the required minimum of 361.
A few hours before the vote, she presented her political programme for the next five years to the European Parliament. Its main priorities include:
Economy
Ursula von der Leyen promised a “pragmatic Green Deal” and urged the EU to deepen the single market more quickly while reducing bureaucracy. She noted that European investment in clean technologies has outpaced the United States and China in recent years and promised a programme to attract further private investment.
She also promised additional support for European farmers to secure decent incomes and said she would appoint a Commissioner responsible for access to housing.
Security and defence
The Commission President proposed that the EU join forces in defence through European production and common projects, including the development of a shared missile defence shield.
For the first time in decades, our freedom is under threat. Europe must be protected through a European Defence Union and a genuine single market for defence, Ursula von der Leyen said.
During her second term, she plans to propose tripling the personnel of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, and doubling Europol’s staff while strengthening its ability to operate across borders.
Society
Ursula von der Leyen proposed EU measures against online harassment and addictive platform design. She called for a “European shield” against foreign attempts to undermine democracy, an EU service to combat disinformation in cooperation with national security authorities, stronger support for independent journalism and improved media literacy.
The fight against corruption and the rule of law will remain at the heart of the Commission’s work. Respect for the rule of law will continue to be a condition for receiving EU funding, she added.