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Von der Leyen wants second EU term – Bild — RT World News

The President of the European Commission has already set out her priorities if she remains in office

German newspaper Bild reported that Ursula von der Leyen will officially announce her candidacy for a second term as President of the European Commission on Monday. Von der Leyen has already hinted that she is seeking a second term, and on Saturday promised to appoint an ad hoc for her “Defense Commissioner” If she keeps her office.

To secure a second term, von der Leyen must first be nominated by her faction in the European Parliament, the centrist European People's Party. Daniel Caspary, a lawmaker for the European People's Party, told Reuters last month that the party would nominate von der Leyen at a conference in March. “If that's what you want.”

If the European People's Party emerges as the largest party in next June's European elections, it is Expected To do this, von der Leyen's candidacy will then be presented to the European Council. From there, a majority vote by the Council's 27 members, followed by final approval by Parliament, will install the German for another five-year term at the helm of the Commission.

Von der Leyen's opponents, led by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor OrbánShe will have few chances to thwart her candidacy. Although Hungary will assume the rotating presidency of the Council after the elections, no member state can veto a majority vote in its favour. In addition, the EPP is a large organization that includes center and center-right parties, which means potential dissidents like the Italian party. Forza Italy It would be easily overturned by von der Leyen's Christian Democrats and their allies.

Von der Leyen has already strongly suggested she will seek a second term. He added: “If I were president of the next European Commission, I would have a Defense Commissioner.” She said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, without clarifying what the responsibilities of this commissioner are.

Since the start of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, von der Leyen has positioned herself as one of Kiev's most ardent Western supporters. It authorized the imposition of 12 packages of sanctions on Russia, oversaw the dramatic expansion of the so-called “European Peace Facility” — a 12 billion euro ($12.9 billion) fund used to move weapons to Ukraine — and Hurry Ukraine's bid for EU membership through the usual application process.

Her relationship with Moscow was so hostile that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last year prevented US President Joe Biden from endorsing her bid to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as NATO Secretary General. According to German newspaper Welt, Schulz felt von der Leyen's hardline anti-Russian stance “It could be a drawback in the long run.”

Bild newspaper reported that von der Leyen will return to Berlin from Munich on Sunday, and is expected to announce her candidacy after a discussion with her fellow Christian Democrats on Monday.

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