During the plenary session (15-18 July 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate with the candidate for the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen before voting on her candidacy. In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen outlines her vision as Commission President.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

appointment of the President of the European Commission (T)

2019 European elections (T)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

appointment of Ursula VON DER LEYEN as EC President 2019 (T)

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

Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, entering the Chamber, greeting members and being followed by camera people (10 shots)

SOUNDBITE (French), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, Exactly 40 years ago, the first President of the European Parliament, Simone VEIL, is elected and puts forward her vision of a more unified and more just Europe. It is thanks to her and all the other European icons that today I am able to put forward to you my vision of Europe, and 40 years later it is with great pride that I am able to say finally a woman is candidate for the presidency of the European Commission. (applause).

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for the position of President of the EC, We want multilateralism We want fair trade we defend the rules based order because we know it is better for all of us. We have to do it the European way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC,our most pressing challenge is keeping our planet healthy. This is the greatest responsibility and opportunity of our times. I want Europe to become the first climate neutral continent in the world by 2050.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, A two step approach is needed to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 by 50 if not 55 percent.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, I will put forward a Green Deal for Europe in my first 100 days in office. I will propose a sustainable Europe investment plan. And turn parts of the European Investment Bank into a climate bank. This will unlock one trillion euros of investment over the next decade.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, And our social market economy. We must reconcile the market with the social. Therefore I will refocus our European semester to make sure we stay on track with our sustainable development goals. And I will stand for fair taxes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, If member states do not propose enough female commissioners I will not hesitate to ask for new names. We represent half of our population. We want our fair share.

Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, The rule of law is our best tool to defend these freedoms and to protect the most vulnerable in our union. This is why there can be no compromise when it comes to respecting the rule of law. There never will be.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, I will propose a new pact on migration and asylum including the relaunch of the Dublin reform. This will allow us to return to a fully functioning Schengen area of free movement. The key driver of our prosperity security and freedoms. A centrepiece in this ambition is a reinforced European Border and Coastguard Agency.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, candidate for President of the EC, Lebe Europa, Vive l'Europe, Long live Europe. Thank you!