The European Parliament approved the composition of the European Commission, the second under President Ursula von der Leyen, during the presentation of the program they also talked about the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, writes UNN with reference to the message of the European institution.
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"After a debate with Ursula von der Leyen about her new team and program, MEPs elected the board of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote," the statement said.
The second European Commission von der Leyen was approved by 370 votes in favor, with 282 against and 36 abstentions.
This will be Ursula von der Leyen's second term as head of the European Commission after the approval of her first European Commission by members of the European Parliament in November 2019.
Before the vote, Ursula von der Leyen presented her team and program, in which she confirmed the changes requested by MEPs during the evaluation process. "We are ready to start work immediately," she said, stressing that her European Commission will always be committed to the fight for freedom, sovereignty, security and prosperity.
Von der Leyen announced that the first initiative of the European Commission will be the competitiveness compass, designed to reduce Europe's innovation gap with the United States and China, increase security and independence and decarbonize. Regarding the European Green Agreement, she said: "We must and will stick to his goals." "She has committed herself to present a clean industrial agreement, launch a strategic dialogue on the future of the European automotive industry, continue working on a competitive circular economy and work on a European savings and investment union," the statement said.
Regarding the ongoing wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and parts of Africa, von der Leyen said that "Europe must play a more active role in all these areas," stressing that it is "needed more than ever." Strengthening our security is crucial, she said, urging Europe to spend more on defense. "The security of Europe will always be the priority of this Commission," she added.
During the subsequent debate, some MEPs stressed the need for the new European Commission to quickly begin to address the problems facing Europe. In particular, they called on the European Commission to create a defense union in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Following the formal appointment by the European Council by a qualified majority, the new European Commission is expected to take office on December 1, 2024.
The proposed board of Commissioners was evaluated by members of the European Parliament at special public hearings from November 4 to 12.