go to the original language article
The President of the European Commission and candidate of the European People’s Party for a second term says she is convinced that she has the support of “many leaders” of the European Council to be re-elected, working in a “broad coalition” to get the necessary parliamentary approval.
“I am confident that I have the support of many leaders. They know me and know of my experience,” says Ursula von der Leyen today, speaking to Lusa, Efe and Bloomberg, who accompanied her participation in the campaign action of the Democratic Alliance (AD) on Thursday in Porto.
With 20 days to go until a decisive meeting of the heads of Government and State of the European Union (EU) on appointments to high European institutional positions for the next legislature – such as the Commission, Parliament and European Council –, Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes that “there is a strong unity within the European People’s Party [EPP] at all levels.”
“From the European Council to the European Parliament, which constitutes the first cornerstone of a broad coalition for a strong Europe,” she highlights, when questioned about the possibilities of being re-elected to the position she has held since 2019.
The decision will be made at the European Council meeting at the end of this month, and it will then be up to the European Parliament to approve, in mid-July and by an absolute majority, the name of the new leader of the community executive.
“After the elections, I want to build a broad coalition for a strong Europe, from the center and, to do so, I am open to working with all pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, and pro-Rule of Law MEPs,” emphasizes Ursula von der Leyen, in these statements to the three journalists who accompanied her visit to Portugal, including Lusa.
“I am the main candidate of the EPP and campaign for a strong result of the EPP, but to build a strong Europe, we need a strong majority in the political center,” insists the center-right candidate, opening the door to dialogue with socialists, liberals and greens.
When questioned by Lusa about the criticisms she received in the political campaign in Portugal, linking her to the far-right for being willing to talk with conservatives, Ursula von der Leyen adds: “Far-left and far-right extremists are trying to divide us, but we will not allow that to happen. The center must hold.”
It is the European Parliament that must approve, after a proposal from the European Council, the new president of the Commission by an absolute majority (half of all MEPs plus one), with Ursula von der Leyen having to obtain ‘green light’ from at least 361 parliamentarians (out of a total of 720 seats).
As the first woman to preside over the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen was approved by the European Parliament in July 2019 with 383 votes in favor, 327 against and 22 abstentions, in a tight vote.
The President of the European Commission and candidate of the European People’s Party for a second term (who was elected in 2019 without being a candidate) was in Porto on Thursday for a walkabout and rally of the AD, with her speech at the end marked by an interruption of dozens of Palestinian supporters, who called for a “free Palestine” from Israel.
The protesters ended up leaving the place, escorted by elements of the PSP, with whom they were involved in confrontations, while AD supporters tried to continue the rally with words of support for Ursula von der Leyen.
About 400 million voters are called to choose the 720 MEPs for the European Parliament, in the elections that take place in the 27 Member States of the European Union. Portugal will elect 21 MEPs on Sunday.
Portugal was the 16th country visited by Ursula von der Leyen in two months of campaigning for the European elections, which she combined with her duties as leader of the community executive. Porto was the 25th city.