Ursula von der Leyen nominated as candidate for European Commission presidency

The center-right European People’s Party (EPP), the leading political force in the EU, has voted for Ursula von der Leyen as a candidate for the post of president of the European Commission, Reuters reported on March 7.

It is noted that she won with 400 votes in favor and 89 against.

In June, parliamentary elections will be held in the EU, which will elect a new composition of senior officials of the bloc, including the head of the European Commission.

Currently, von der Leyen is considered a clear favorite for this position. If the leaders of the 27 EU member states approve her candidacy, she will have another term and will determine the bloc’s policy in all areas, from big tech and state aid to vetting Chinese investments and sanctions against Russia.

In her speech at the party congress in Bucharest, Von der Leyen called Russia’s war against Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and the rise of China key challenges for the EU.

Read also: Zelenskyy, von der Leyen agree to assess Ukrainian legislation for EU standards

“Here at home, Putin’s friends are trying to rewrite our history and steal our future,” she said.

“Our peaceful and united Europe is being challenged by populists, nationalists and demagogues like never before.”

Earlier, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that she had rejected the offer of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) to become their main candidate in the election campaign for the post of president of the European Commission.

According to Kallas, she wants to remain as prime minister. At the same time, she noted that this offer “is a great tribute to Estonia as a whole, to the government and to her personally.”

Read also: European Union pledges unwavering backing for Ukraine amid Russian aggression

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