EU's von der Leyen vows defense push, climate continuity in bid for second term

[July 18, 2024]  By Kate Abnett and Marta Fiorin

STRASBOURG (Reuters) -European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Thursday to create a "European Defense Union" and to stay the course on Europe's green transition while cushioning its burden on industry as she pitched for a second term.

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen laid out a program focused on prosperity and security as she sought backing from lawmakers for another five-year term in charge of the European Union's powerful executive body.

"The next five years will define Europe’s place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others," she said ahead of a secret ballot on her candidacy later in the day.

After pledging to support Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight against Russia's invasion, von der Leyen said Europe's liberty was at stake and it must invest more in defense.

Von der Leyen, a former German defense minister, pledged to create "a true European Defense Union", with flagship projects on air and cyber defense.

She also blasted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's recent visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow an "appeasement mission", winning broad applause from lawmakers.

Defense policy in Europe has traditionally been the domain of national governments and NATO.

But following Russia's attack on Ukraine and amid uncertainty over how much Europe will be able to rely on the United States for its protection, the European Commission is seeking to push more joint European defense projects.

She also pledged to stick to the goals set out in the European Green Deal, a climate package that was one of the main policies of her first term.

She promised a raft of climate policies including a legally-binding EU target to cut emissions 90% by 2040.

She also pledged new measures to help European industries stay competitive while they invest in curbing emissions.

WAVERING GREENS

Some EU officials told Reuters von der Leyen's new program boded well for the vote - particularly, for its promise not to weaken climate measures, which could win over wavering Green lawmakers whose votes von der Leyen has courted in recent weeks to help her secure a comfortable majority.

Ursula von der Leyen addresses lawmakers before a vote to choose the next President of the European Commission, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron

She might also win some votes from the far-right side of the legislature by promising tighter EU border controls and stronger police cooperation against crime.

The vote will determine if there is continuity in the European Union's key institution at a time of external and internal challenges - including mounting support for far-right and eurosceptic political parties across the 27-nation bloc.

With no obvious alternative candidate, von der Leyen's supporters have framed the vote as a choice between stability and chaos, as her rejection would create political deadlock.

In her first term, she oversaw the world's biggest package of climate change policies, an 800-billion-euro ($875 billion) EU response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 14 rounds of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Even among her critics, there is little appetite to create a leadership vacuum in Europe months ahead of November's U.S. Presidential election, where a victory for Republican Donald Trump could upend western unity on supporting Ukraine.

Von der Leyen, a mother of seven and the first woman to head the Commission, needs support from at least 361 lawmakers in the 720-member EU Parliament.

The three centrist groups expected to support her have a total of 401 lawmakers. But some are expected to defect and oppose her in the secret ballot.

To pass comfortably, she may need support from parts of the 78-strong European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR) or the Greens' 53 lawmakers.

EU lawmakers cast their ballots at 1 p.m. (1100 GMT).

If von der Leyen fails, EU country leaders will have one month to suggest another candidate - likely delaying the launch of the new European Commission, which is responsible for proposing new EU policies, until 2025.

(Additional reporting by Phil BLenkinsop, Andrew Gray, Foo Yun Chee, Jan Strupczewski, Marine Strauss, Bart Meijer; Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

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