“Prosperity, security and democracy,” were the European Commission’s guiding lights, President Ursula von der Leyen said as she set out in a press conference how the European Union was responding to pressing challenges in her second term.
The issues are extensive, ranging from trade tensions with the United States and China to sluggish EU economic growth and rising migration. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine entered its third year in February.
Econ 100 with von der Leyen
The Commission President was bullish on her economic work to date and keen to show how the EU executive is taking the initiative under her leadership..
Von der Leyen pointed to trade and partnership agreements reached with Switzerland, Mexico and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, as well as initiatives to deepen cooperation with India on trade, technology and research.
Other important actions were:
- Introducing the Competitiveness Compass, a strategic roadmap including measures to cut red tape.
- Developing the Clean Industrial Deal to support energy-intensive industries.
- Engaging with key industries: agriculture, automotive and steel, creating strategic dialogues and action plans.
Geopolitical shifts at “lightning speed”
Von der Leyen acknowledged that she expected her second term to focus more on economic policy and “prosperity”, but noted that global events had revised her Commission’s priorities.
“The world around us is changing at lightning speed. Geopolitical shifts are shaking alliances. Decades-old certainties are crumbling. And we still have a brutal war raging at our borders,” von der Leyen told reporters.
Despite the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House, who is no friendlier towards the EU over trade and defence spending, von der Leyen stressed her view that the United States is an ally, despite existing differences.
“[The United States] have been for more than 80 years our closest ally. In the face of adversity, the US and Europe have always been stronger together,” she said.
The Commission President stressed that the EU “will stay open” and stand for “partnership and outreach”. The bloc also offered “stability and predictability – valuable features in these times.”
The uncertainty caused by Trump’s return, and his views on the war in Ukraine and Europe, have lended fresh impetus to the EU efforts to arm Kiev’s defence and strengthen European militaries.
Von der Leyen highlighted her new ReARM Europe fund and defence package, which could mobilise nearly 800 billion Euro for defence investments across the EU, including military aid for Ukraine.
More critical security initiatives include:
- Shifting focus to modernizing military infrastructure and fostering defence innovation.
- Strengthening ties with the UK, Norway and Canada for enhanced security cooperation.
- Boosting defence investments linked to economic competitiveness – in industries like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics. “Europe’s economic and innovative potential is an asset for its security,” von der Leyen said.
Von der Leyen also called for a shift towards a “preparedness mind-set” in Europe and revealed that the Commission would establish the first-ever Security College to continuously monitor security threats.
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” she said, explaining that the Commission would receive regular updates on external/internal security, energy, defence, cyber threats, trade, and foreign interference.
Migration laws tightened
Von der Leyen said she wanted to impose an entry ban on migrants who have been deported from the EU.
“Those who are forcibly returned, will be issued with an entry ban. And we will be stricter where there are security risks,” she said.
“We will be assertive, but we will also make sure that we will act in full respect of our obligations under international law and fundamental rights,” she added.
A regulation with simpler and clearer rules should be proposed that would, for example, prevent people from absconding and make it easier to deport non-EU nationals who have no right to live in the bloc, she said.
This article is part of the enr’s EU Elections Spotlight “EU Commission von der Leyen II: 100 days and counting”. The content is based on news by agencies participating in the enr.