During the plenary session (15-18 July) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the Commission, gives her final remarks at the end of a 4 hours exchange with MEPs.

Strasbourg

plenary session

appointment of the President of the European Commission (T)

2019 European elections (T)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

Election of the President of the European Commission: extract from the closing statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, candidate for President of the Commission

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for the position of President of the EC, I am aware when I listen to you and many many arguments that there is the feeling of a division between Central East Europe and West Europe. We have to overcome that division. I am full of respect when I think of the effort the Central European and the Eastern European countries undertook and undertake to join the European Union to join Schengen to join the Eurozone. And I think when they meet the criteria is this has to be rewarded and I'm aware of the fact there is still a certain division between South and North. I think I've extensively elaborated about how we could overcome that how we find the right balance between responsibility and flexibility investment and growth that is needed and where we will work together.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for the position of President of the EC, I want to involve and get in touch closer with this European Parliament and that's what why I support the right of initiative. That's why I believe we need to find sound ways to anchor the Spitzencandidate system. I'm convinced we are able to do that. I want to build new trust. I want to build a partnership between the European Commission and the European Parliament. I am your natural ally. If I may put it that way. And at the very end before we going to go in the vote tonight let me end perhaps with a saying that comes once again from a Greek statesman. He was one of the founders of democracy and I think it's a wonderful motto for our common work. It says the secret to happiness is freedom. The secret to freedom is courage. Let's have courage together let's be courageous on the European Union. Thank you so much.