Eurovision Debate 2024 between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency: Spotlight - Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party

Brussels

debate

REINTKE, Terry (Greens/EFA, DE)

Eurovision debate between candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission (T)

2024 European elections (T)

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed): Spotlight - Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, Hello. Campaigning for being President of the European Commission for a second mandate is one of the best things that ever happened to me in my life. I've been in 11 different Member States, and of course, in the next two weeks more to come, and I meet people from all walks of life, all generations. The most fascinating are the young people because they are the strongest supporter of Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, And when I ask people, what is it what you expect from Europe, the answer is always the same. They want a strong Europe. They want a Europe that cares, that protects and that prospers. And I'm ready to build a majority for a strong Europe because the centre must hold. I want to stand up with all my experience and all my determination for a strong Europe, for our democracy, for our prosperity, and for our security.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator, Thank you very much Ms. von der Leyen. It's interesting to see you were repeatedly asked the same question. Mr. Schmit reminded you of three criteria you put forward: being pro-European, pro-rule-of-law, among others. The question is does Ms. Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, and her party meet these criteria according to you?

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, I have been working very well with Giorgia Meloni in the European Council, as I do with all the heads of state and government. This is my task as President of the Commission. Now, the topics we are going to offer. There we're going to see whether those who are pro-European, and she is clearly pro-European. Against Putin - she's been very clear on that one. And pro-rule-of-law, if this holds, and then we offer to work together.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator, Okay. So then you offer to work together, even if some of your current partners in the Commission say that's a red line, we may not support your candidacy for the European Commission.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, We have to build a majority in the European Parliament for all the topics to bring Europe forward, to have a strong Europe. And as we know, the European Parliament is very different from national parliaments. It is not as such that a group votes unanimously, but you have some who vote for the law, some against, some abstain. So it is always that you come with an offer. And this offer is for those who want to bring Europe forward. And this is exactly what I'm planning to do, actually, which I have done this mandate too. Because at the very beginning there was not a clear majority at all.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator, Just to make sure that I understand you correctly, you are preparing to work together with the ECR.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, That's not what I've said. I'm going to be very clear. This is not what I've said. I'm speaking about Members of the European Parliament. I want to see where they group themselves. And then we work with the groups that are clearly, clearly pro-European, pro-Ukraine, against Putin and for the rule of law.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator, Just to double-check Ms. Meloni's policies on LGBTQ+, for example, don't bother you?

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, I have a complete different approach.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator, Okay. But that's not a red line?

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, I'm not speaking, I'm not speaking of groups. I'm speaking of parliamentarians that will go to different groups. And we will see. As we have seen with a discussion of the candidates, that it's not clear how the different groups will be composed and how they will set that settle themselves. And therefore, you have to choose principles and be very clear on these principles. Let me give an example.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator, Very briefly, because I have one more question for you.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, I want to give that one example for majorities to build. At the very beginning, the climate law was existential for the European Green Deal. The Greens did not vote with us because they wanted more. Okay, that's their decision. But we would not have had a majority if I would not have built a broad majority within the European Parliament. And this is how the Parliament works, clearly.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Annelies BECK, Eurovision debate 2024 moderator, Thank you, Ms. von der Leyen. Last question for you. This week several European countries recognised the Palestinian state. From the very beginning, after 7th of October, you threw your weight behind Israel really quickly. Looking back, do you think you may have moved too quickly without backing of your European members and partners?

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, No, I think that it was absolutely necessary to acknowledge the horror that happened on the 7th of October, and this should never happen again. Never, ever. But it is true that we have to do everything possible to protect civilian life in Gaza. We have been speaking about everything possible.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, lead candidate of the European People's Party, This is absolute. Absolutely am I calling for a cease fire and the release of the 128 hostages that are still in the hands of Hamas. So very clearly, it is true that the Member States have different objectives in this case, but we are all behind the two state solution. So let's work for that, because this is the only solution that will bring peace to the region.