Members of the Parliament vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s election for Commission President on Thursday, 18 July 2024. To be elected, von der Leyen needs the backing of an absolute majority of the Parliament (more than half of its members). The vote is held by secret paper ballot. If elected by MEPs, Ursula von der Leyen is set to return to the office of European Commission President for the next five years. This news item shows extracts from the statements by the political group leaders before the vote. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

appointment of the President of the European Commission (T)

Election of the President of the European Commission: extracts from the political groups leaders and from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), President of the EPP Group, Europeans want a democratic, not a radical Europe. They want us to work together and to build compromise, not to divide people like Orban, Le Pen and Melenchon. The Europeans want a united, not a divided Europe. Our friends in America are in deep waters. Putin brings war and wants to divide Europe. Today we have to send a strong signal of a united and determined Europe. Many of you, dear colleagues, know my personal history. I urge you, vote for Ursula von der Leyen on the line. It's the right choice. The EPP will certainly do so.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iraxte GARCIA PEREZ (S&amp;D, ES), President of the S&amp;D Group, Mrs. von der Leyen, the S&amp;D group is a vital force to ensure the governance ability of the European Union, and over the coming five years, our support to your presidency will be contingent on offering a project of Europe, which puts an end to inequalities and ensures the equality of opportunity. We will never stop pushing for an EU, which is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. We have shown that it's possible to have the EU, which innovates, which competes, which also gives dignity to workers with new rights and which strengthens public services.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jordan BARDELLA (Patriots, FR), President of the Patriots for Europe, Now, the return of the war and the Russian aggression. Now, there's the risk of economic sliding and a risk of migration policy and also the risk of new AI technologies. The real solution is sovereignty and strategic autonomy for Europe and our nations. For Europe, but also for France. I call on every member of this House to make this just one term for Mrs. von der Leyen. And so the Patriots for Europe will oppose the renewal of your term.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), Co-President of the ECR Group, The Parliament and the Commission of five years ago were in the hands of a left majority. But this is no longer true today, thanks to the European elections, but also thanks to the national elections held in many countries of the European Union. European citizens have wanted to support the centre right ideas. And I think you need to keep this in mind.

SOUNDBITE (French), Val&eacute;rie HAYER (Renew, FR), President of Renew Europe Group,The economy. From you, miss von der Leyen, we want you to act for the prosperity of Europe. It needs a three way approach simplification, investment and innovation. We need to simplify the life for entrepreneurs and SMEs. We need to accelerate investments under certain projects. And in order to do so, we need a European law for acceleration to speed up the issuance of permits. We also need to speed up the European capital market so we can decouple investments and savings.

SOUNDBITE (English), Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group, The Green Deal is about nothing less than our survival on this planet, and we should treat it with the needed seriousness. Colleagues, the green transition is the greatest challenge of our generation. In order to maintain our prosperity, we need to massively invest in greening our industries.

SOUNDBITE (French), Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), The Left Group Co-President, We have the multinationals, the millionaires who are driving up the cost of our shopping carts. Are we going to please them? Are you going to tackle climate change? No. We have unambitious measures and greenwashing. How have you protected farmers and industry in the face of international competition? No. You supported trade agreements. Did you support public services? No. You strengthened austerity rules that damage them. Did you act to defend transparency when in the face of lobbying? No.