Early Thursday afternoon, MEPs will vote on a second term for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Just in time, the EPP politician presented her priorities.
The Asylum and Migration Pact must be implemented and the EU’s external borders must be strengthened. To this end, the number of Frontex staff will be increased to 30,000, according to guidelines published by von der Leyens. Moreover, it is “extremely important to ensure a complete and fully functioning Schengen area.” A new common approach should allow for more returns of migrants.
More money for defense
In the field of defence, Von der Leyen announced her own commissioner and more money. To combat crime, the politician wants to propose a new strategy for internal security. In the future, there should be twice as many Europol employees as there are now.
Another focus is climate protection. The 65-year-old is campaigning for exceptions for so-called e-fuels when it comes to the end of combustion engines. This is in the spirit of the ÖVP. In addition, there must be a plan on how farmers should deal with climate change plans. “No one should be forced to sell good food below production costs,” von der Leyen made clear.
Who will vote for von der Leyen?
Whether Ursula von der Leyen will be at the head of the European Commission for another five years will be decided early Thursday afternoon. Her re-election is considered likely with votes from her EPP, the Social Democrats and the Liberals (see video above). Many Green MPs had also indicated that they would agree with this. Similar signals also came from Austria, from the SPÖ, the NEOS and the Greens. Only the FPÖ wants to vote against the EPP politician.
Source: Krone
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