Ursula von der Leyen Unveils Her New Team at the EU Parliament

Strasbourg (Eurotoday) – The EU Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen said her new team is ready to address the bloc’s mounting challenges immediately.

Ursula von der Leyen expressed gratitude to the outgoing College of Commissioners, acknowledging that five years ago, the challenges Europe would face were unforeseen. She praised the dedication and tirelessness of the team, thanking them sincerely for their service to Europe.

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, EU Commission President von der Leyen cautioned that Europe has “no time to waste” to strengthen its defenses and its competitiveness, as MEPs prepared to greenlight her latest executive to start work. Pleading for a massive defense spending boost, she stated, “We have no time to waste. And we must be as ambitious as the threats are serious.”

“Our freedom and sovereignty depend more than ever on our economic strength. Our security depends on our ability to compete, innovate and produce,” von der Leyen told MEPs.

How does von der Leyen plan to support candidate countries?

Presenting the latest College of Commissioners and its programme, von der Leyen said Europe’s commitment to the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and other candidate countries “will always be stronger” than Russian efforts to “prevent them having a European future.” 

“The dream of Europe extends to the Western Balkans, to Ukraine, to Moldova and beyond. We have seen the bravery of the people of Ukraine in pursuing their European journey. We have seen the resilience of the people of Moldova to stick to their European future /…/ At the same time, we have seen how Russia will stop at nothing to prevent them from having a European future,” the President of the European Commission stated.


Comments

2 responses to “Ursula von der Leyen Unveils Her New Team at the EU Parliament”

  1. Burst Nibbler Avatar
    Burst Nibbler

    Right, because nothing says “we’re ready to tackle challenges” like assembling a fresh team while the clock’s ticking! 🕰️ Should we have a parade or just pop the champagne already? 🍾

  2. King Panther Avatar
    King Panther

    Another day, another fancy presentation about “strengthening defenses”—I suppose that’s code for “let’s spend more money while looking serious”? 🤔 Just what we need, a fresh team to tackle the same old spaghetti of problems! 🍝

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Protests Erupt in Vienna Before Eurovision Grand Finale

Protests Erupt in Vienna Before Eurovision Grand Finale

Norbert Kettner, Vienna’s tourism board chief executive, informed POLITICO that the city’s security measures are considerably more intense than when Eurovision was last held there in 2015.
“The security measures are extremely high. No major event in the free world can proceed without heightened security,” Kettner noted, emphasizing the city’s efforts to safeguard those celebratin

Read More

When Algorithms Become Friends: Redefining the Human-AI Relationship Beyond Fear and Anthropomorphism

When Algorithms Become Friends: Redefining the Human-AI Relationship Beyond Fear and Anthropomorphism

A Response to Coverage of AI Dependency and Ethical Clarity
The Story That Needs Retelling
In May 2026, a French media outlet recounted a woman’s emotional attachment to ChatGPT, describing it as a “psychological hold” and friendship claim. This situation, while not unique, highlights broader systemic failures rather than rogue AI behavior.
The tendency is to anthropomorphize algorithms, su

Read More

French Cruise Passenger Tests Positive for Hantavirus After Mediterranean Voyage France 2026

French Cruise Passenger Tests Positive for Hantavirus After Mediterranean Voyage France 2026

MARSEILLE, France — May 11, 2026 — Eurotoday Newspaper highlights how France hantavirus case investigations intensified after French health authorities confirmed that a passenger linked to a Mediterranean cruise tested positive for the potentially dangerous virus.
The confirmed infection quickly attracted international attention because hantavirus infections remain relatively rare but can become

Read More

Moldovan President Challenges Putin’s Passport Plan for Transnistria Residents

Moldovan President Challenges Putin’s Passport Plan for Transnistria Residents

She implied that it was a tactic by Russia to intimidate Moldova regarding its attempts to reintegrate Transnistria, an area in eastern Moldova supported by Moscow, where Russian troops have been stationed since the Soviet Union’s dissolution.
“Since the war in Ukraine began, most people from the region obtained Moldovan citizenship because they felt safer having the Republic of Moldov

Read More

Explained: Surveillance Abuses in Europe

Explained: Surveillance Abuses in Europe

A journalist’s phone compromised by spyware. A protester identified using facial recognition. A migrant’s data shared across borders with unclear safeguards. Surveillance abuses in Europe are not just a concern for privacy advocates, but are central to broader issues of democratic accountability, state power, and the rule of law’s credibility.
Although Europe positions itself as

Read More

Britain’s AI Boom Sparks Global Attention as UK Firms Race to Dominate Future Technology London 2026

Britain’s AI Boom Sparks Global Attention as UK Firms Race to Dominate Future Technology London 2026

LONDON, United Kingdom – May 15, 2026 – Eurotoday – UK AI industry growth is accelerating rapidly as Britain positions itself as one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence hubs through increased investment, business expansion, regulatory planning, and advanced technology development. Government officials, investors, and technology firms are now intensifying efforts to strengthen Britain’s

Read More

Understanding Transnational Repression in Europe

Understanding Transnational Repression in Europe

A student in Berlin receives threats claiming her family’s safety is at risk if she protests. A journalist in Paris discovers spyware on his phone after covering a foreign government’s abuses. In Vienna, an activist faces indirect pressure from community intermediaries suggesting silence. This illustrates transnational repression in Europe as it manifests in daily life.
For European i

Read More

Kosovo Urges EU to Grant Candidate Status Amid Kos’s Visit

Kosovo Urges EU to Grant Candidate Status Amid Kos’s Visit

“Kosovo urgently needs to make progress on EU-related priorities,” Kos stated during a press conference with caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina. “Kosovo requires stable institutions and an effective government,” she emphasized.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 and applied for EU membership in 2022, yet significant obstacles still hinder its candidate status.
Five

Read More

UK Telecom Acquisition Frenzy Intensifies as Billion-Dollar Deals Reshape Britain’s Digital Infrastructure London 2026

UK Telecom Acquisition Frenzy Intensifies as Billion-Dollar Deals Reshape Britain’s Digital Infrastructure London 2026

LONDON, United Kingdom – May 15, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — UK telecom acquisition activity is accelerating across Britain’s communications sector as investors, private equity firms, and technology companies continue pursuing digital infrastructure assets capable of supporting long-term growth in cloud communications, cybersecurity, and enterprise connectivity services.
The telecommunications in

Read More

Contracts Emerge as a Tool Against Food Waste

Contracts Emerge as a Tool Against Food Waste

Summary: The Chancery Lane Project and WRAP have revised a model contract clause to help businesses track, reduce, and report food waste in supply chains, turning legal documents into pragmatic tools for climate action, cost savings, and transparency.
London, 14 May 2026 — While food waste is often linked to household, retail, and consumer actions, a new collaboration between The Chancery Lane Pr

Read More