Brussels – Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has hailed Teresa Ribera, the incoming first vice-president and Spanish socialist, as a “true and devoted” European. Von der Leyen expressed her eagerness to collaborate closely with Ribera, who will oversee Competition as well as the Clean, Fair, and Competitive Transition.
In her address to the plenary at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen was preparing for a crucial vote on her new College of Commissioners. It is expected that the coalition of the European People’s Party, socialists, and liberals, along with some support from the Greens and some Conservatives and Reformists, will provide the necessary majority to replace the outgoing Commission this Sunday, December 1st.
“Ribera is well-equipped to implement a modern competition policy that aligns with our ambitions. She is a genuine and dedicated European,” von der Leyen stated, as Ribera and the other commissioners were present, receiving applause from many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
“Together, we will always prioritize the European interest,” von der Leyen added, reaffirming her commitment to present the previously announced Pact for a Clean Industry within her first 100 days in office. This initiative aims to unlock investments, foster leading markets for clean technology, and create conditions for European businesses to thrive and compete effectively against rivals in China and the United States.
Last week, the approval of von der Leyen’s second Commission faced delays due to a cross-veto situation: the European People’s Party opposed Ribera over her handling of an extreme weather event, while social democrats objected to providing a vice-presidency to Italy’s ultra-conservative candidate, Raffaele Fitto.
Ultimately, a consensus emerged among pro-European populists, social democrats, and liberals in the European Parliament, allowing both vetoes to be lifted without altering the responsibilities of Ribera or Fitto.
In her address, von der Leyen, representing the German conservatives, committed to governing from a central position and collaborating with all pro-European factions to safeguard freedoms that are “not free,” address EU fragmentation, and prioritize competitiveness and security in the upcoming five years.
If confirmed in the noon vote, von der Leyen’s second term will commence immediately on December 1st. “We are prepared to begin our work promptly,” she asserted before the plenary, which also included the 26 commissioners accompanying her in this legislative session.
She promised MEPs that she would take their concerns into account, as expressed during the hearings for her commissioners and vice-presidents, though she did not clarify how this would impact the mission letters previously issued to her team members. (November 27)
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