Ursula von der Leyen Secures Second Term as EU’s Top Leader for Five More Years

July 19, 2024 TruthUSA

Ms. von der Leyen secured her reelection with 401 members of parliament voting in favor, 284 against, and 22 casting blank or invalid votes.

Ursula von der Leyen, the former German defense minister, has been reelected to a second 5-year term leading the European Union’s executive body. She promised to strengthen European prosperity, uphold climate action efforts, and advocate for increased military investment, while cautioning about the peril to Europe’s liberty for the first time in decades.

The reelection of Ms. von der Leyen took place in a July 18 vote in the European Parliament, with 401 members in favor, 284 against, and 22 with blank or invalid votes.

In a speech delivered in Strasbourg, France, one day before the vote, Ms. von der Leyen outlined a program focusing on economic prosperity, competitiveness, and support for small and medium enterprises through reducing red tape and deepening the EU single market.

She emphasized the importance of small and medium enterprises in the economy, calling for less micromanagement and more trust and incentives for them.

Ms. von der Leyen also committed to continuing with the European Green Deal, aiming to transform the EU economy in line with climate action goals. She proposed a 90 percent emissions reduction target for 2040 and the introduction of a Clean Industrial Deal within her first 100 days in office to prioritize investments in non-fossil fuel energy infrastructure.

Security was another key focus, with Ms. von der Leyen pledging support for Ukraine against Russia, advocating for increased defense capabilities, and proposing the establishment of a European defense union.

She called for joint investments in projects like a comprehensive aerial defense system and emphasized the need for common European defense initiatives.

In her proposed policies, Ms. von der Leyen highlighted projects related to cyber and space defense, as well as preparedness for threats linked to chemical, biological, and nuclear security.

With concerns about the threat to European freedom, Ms. von der Leyen underscored the need to protect citizens and enhance the EU-NATO relationship to address various threats, including those in cyber, hybrid, or space warfare.

The Kremlin responded to Ms. von der Leyen’s defense union proposal with concerns about EU militarization and increased tension with Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the militarization implications of Ms. von der Leyen’s proposals, emphasizing European states’ tendencies towards militarization and confrontational foreign policy methods.

Aside from strengthening Europe’s defense against military threats, Ms. von der Leyen also vowed to combat organized crime infiltration in the EU by doubling Europol’s staff and enhancing its mandate.

Additional measures included tougher border security with plans to triple European border and coast guards, reinforcing Europe’s border defenses.

Following the successful vote for her reelection, Ms. von der Leyen will propose her team of commissioners for parliamentary hearings before the final vote on the composition of the European Commission.

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