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Your email address will not be published.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

Former Kyiv Commander Says NATO is Outdated for Ukraine

Former Kyiv Commander Says NATO is Outdated for Ukraine

Russia has significantly altered its military forces due to war pressures, causing concern among politicians and intelligence officials that it might attack a NATO country by decade’s end.
Zaluzhnyi’s unusual criticism highlights a shift in the alliance’s relationship with Ukraine. The nation has evolved from depending on European military aid in the early war years to becoming o

Read More

Some MEPs call for EU Parliament to reconvene over Ceuta crisis

Some MEPs call for EU Parliament to reconvene over Ceuta crisis

Some MEPs have formally requested that the European Parliament be convened on an “exceptional basis” for an urgent debate on the migration crisis in Ceuta.
This, they say, should be with the participation of the Council and the European Commission.
The parliament is currently in recess for the summer and reconvening would be an exceptional step.
The extraordinary surge of arrivals has left at le

Read More

Europe Tries to Break Its Palantir Habit — But Can It?

Europe Tries to Break Its Palantir Habit — But Can It?

A quiet rebellion is unfolding across European capitals against one of Silicon Valley’s leading data companies. Authorities in countries such as France, Germany, and Spain are taking steps to reduce their dependence on Palantir Technologies, the American data-analytics firm deeply embedded in the continent’s policing, defense, health, and intelligence sectors—and they are finding it challenging t

Read More

Channel Rescue Highlights Burnham’s Border Promise

Channel Rescue Highlights Burnham’s Border Promise

On Tuesday morning, French maritime authorities reported that the boat’s engine “caught fire” and its structure quickly deteriorated, prompting an urgent mayday call.
All 157 people on board were safely rescued and returned to Boulogne-sur-Mer in France.
The French maritime prefecture noted that migrants determined to reach the United Kingdom often refuse assistance unless in “situations of extre

Read More

Morocco Names Key Highway After Donald Trump

Morocco Names Key Highway After Donald Trump

Morocco has renamed a major highway in honor of former US President Donald Trump, following the US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020. The confirmation came from King Mohammed VI and was reported by the BBC. Trump had announced the decision on social media, supported by a letter from King Mohammed VI expressing respect for Trump. The Tiznit-Dakhla highway traverses We

Read More

The Farage-Lowe Drama Engulfing the British Right

The Farage-Lowe Drama Engulfing the British Right

At the Makerfield by-election, where Labour’s Andy Burnham emerged victorious shortly before becoming the British prime minister, Restore Britain earned 6.8 percent to Reform’s 34.5 percent. Even though their combined efforts wouldn’t have overcome Burnham, Farage criticized the outcome, asking Restore voters: “What do you want?”
A similar trend was observed at last week’s Greate

Read More

25 New Sites Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

25 New Sites Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The World Heritage Committee concluded its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea, by adding 25 new sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. All inscriptions were made by consensus, highlighting the cooperative nature of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. This session marks the first inscriptions for Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, and South Sudan, emphasizing UNESCO’s dedication to

Read More

Can Europe Manage the Ceuta Consequences?

Can Europe Manage the Ceuta Consequences?

Home affairs ministers are gathering this morning amid the ongoing impact of the Ceuta crisis in Europe.
The recent sudden influx of migrants into the Spanish exclave — most of whom have since returned — led to intense discussions among European leaders. In the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss whether today’s emergency meeting can ease tensions and what measures the Comm

Read More

EU Socialists and Democrats Assert Propaganda Can’t Undermine Solidarity

EU Socialists and Democrats Assert Propaganda Can’t Undermine Solidarity

The Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament sent a letter to President von der Leyen on August 1st, urging her to clarify the rules regarding the suspension of the Schengen area by member states after the Ceuta events. The S&D Group expressed concern over the exploitation of the Ceuta situation by certain governments for political gain, emphasizing that no member state can

Read More

Why Commemorating the Roma Holocaust Alone "Is Not Enough"

Why Commemorating the Roma Holocaust Alone "Is Not Enough"

Some 82 years after the mass murder of Roma and Sinti at Auschwitz-Birkenau, anti-Roma hate persists. Today’s Roma Holocaust Memorial Day is a warning that Europe is still failing to turn the lessons of history into political reality.
This September, Saxony-Anhalt goes to the polls, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) polling above 40 per cent and within reach of an outright majority. Over 80

Read More