18 Jul 2024
Ursula von der Leyen elected for second term of office
On 18 July 2024, the European Parliament confirmed Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the European Commission. In her speech, Ms von der Leyen emphasised the competitiveness of the EU, the internal market and industrial policy. ‘Our first priority will be prosperity and competitiveness', she said. The re-elected President announced a new European Competitiveness Fund. It will be focused on common and cross-border European projects that will drive competitiveness and innovation – notably to support the Clean Industrial Deal. It aims to ensure that Europe develops strategic tech and manufactures it here, in Europe.
The focus of the climate package will now shift to implementation and the ‘compatibility of climate protection and a prosperous economy’ (‘European Green Deal with pragmatism, technology-neutrality and innovation’). Ms von der Leyen announced a new Clean Industrial Deal for the first 100 days.
The re-confirmed Commission President also emphasised that Europe will need more investment, from farming to industry, from digital to strategic technologies but also more investment in people and their skills. 'Europe must be the home of opportunity and innovation’, she stated.
The full statement can be downloaded here: