The EC President-elect and shaping the future of the Old Continent

All for European values

In her manifesto-like speech, for the first time since being elected as the head of the EC in July, Ms. Ursula Von der Layen - former German Defense Minister showed her vision for the upcoming term. The "European Message" read on the evening of November 8 at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Institute in Berlin, Germany also showed the determination of the woman who will "steer" the executive body of the European Union (EU) in this unpredictable period of change.

Von der Leyen has set two priorities for her upcoming term in Brussels: to build an ambitious climate policy and to deal with migration in a sustainable way for the bloc. The message from the EC President-elect is clear: the EU, with its 500 million people and 40% of global GDP, is not only the world’s leading trading partner, but also a global “trendsetter”, a “pioneer”.

Ms Von der Leyen has declared her support for a Europe with core values ​​that is an international model for the future.

EC President-elect Ursula Von der Layen (left) has promised to present a new package of proposals on migration in the first half of 2020. Photo: EPA

In that vision, the European community envisions its citizens as “a guarantor of peace, human rights, the rule of law” and a defender of “tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men.” In her speech, titled “A Message from Europe,” the former German defense minister also said that the EU’s open society would provide stability and a social market economy, where citizens would receive support with good schools for their children. Those who contribute to society would not only earn money but also receive training. And the EU’s health care system is currently one of the best in the world. In a context where trust in EU values ​​is gradually eroding, the EU was described by Ms. Von der Leyen as “the ideal model,” as a way to “re-sow the seeds of hope” about the world’s most successful regional union. She also did not forget to mention that “Europeans are proud to have set basic regulations on data protection that are seen as standards for others”.

“China itself has taken the EU example in CO2 emissions trading certification.₂make models"

Ursula Von der Layen said in Berlin

Drawing a vision of the future, but internal affairs are the focus of the work ahead for the EC President-elect. Internal unity, as usual, is the first concern, especially when the EU has witnessed division and disagreement on many key issues in recent years. Ms. Von der Leyen expressed pride when mentioning the EU's unity in the face of Brexit, because "the unfortunate departure of a member state did not become the starting point for the disintegration of the bloc." Referring to the fact that in the Brexit negotiations, the 27 EU countries always stood together, Ms. Von der Leyen declared that the "shock" of Brexit has made the rest of the EU more united than ever. For Ms. Von der Leyen, this shows that the EU can grow stronger in times of crisis.

European Union flag. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Tough questions ahead

Clearly, amid the frustration and fatigue of the Brexit process, or the fierce conflicts over migration policy, as well as economic insecurity, Europeans are in need of a vision to relieve their inhibitions and pessimism. They need a leader with enough tolerance and talent to take responsibility for bringing Europe back to the big goal. However, harsh and complicated realities await the first female President of the EC ahead. The biggest obstacle for the first female President of the EC is the division and Euroskepticism, which anyone can feel before and during the vote at the European Parliament (EP) last May. The majority of votes that helped Ms. Von der Leyen win was mainly from many different parties, which means that the new President of the EC lacks the support of a centralized force and a strong support voice in the European Legislative body. Therefore, despite winning the presidential election, Ms. Von der Leyen's run of the EC is not expected to be easy.

As a German and nominated by French President Emmanuel Macron, but in her new position as EC President, Ms. Von der Leyen will have to pay more attention to small countries.

The problem of the difference in growth rates between countries is becoming more serious, when "locomotives" such as Germany or France appear to be superior to the rest, especially the countries in the Eastern European region that have recently joined the EU, or even countries that used to be "locomotives" but are now lagging behind such as Spain, Italy... Maintaining the economic growth rate for the entire union, despite uneven development from within and challenges from without, this task seems equally difficult, when reality has shown not so optimistic signs of the risk of instability or recession.

Ms Von der Leyen will have a tough job to do in reviving EU values ​​and unity. Photo: DPA

The fact that Ms. Von der Leyen, who has served as German Defense Minister for the past 6 years, becomes President of the EC will also contribute to promoting the process of EU defense autonomy. For many years, Germany and France, along with a number of other EU members, have actively lobbied for a common defense strategy of the union, including projects to manufacture fighter planes, military transport planes and common weapons. That is the premise for her to embark on a more complex job and in a higher position. However, the new job is also associated with handling relationships with traditional partners in a new context such as the US, or rivals such as China or Russia, which is not a simple task for Ms. Von der Leyen, as well as Europe. However, public opinion still hopes that her determination and "say it, do it" style will help Europe go in the right direction on the thorny path of "reform for revival".