Ursula von der Leyen Re-elected: Emphasizing Green Goals and Industrial Growth
Key Ideas
- Ursula von der Leyen secures re-election as President of the European Commission with a focus on implementing ambitious environmental and industrial policies.
- Key priorities include a new Clean Industrial Deal aimed at boosting infrastructure and energy-intensive industries while reducing energy costs.
- Industry reactions to Von der Leyen's re-election have been positive, highlighting her commitment to the Green Deal and clean technologies like hydrogen.
- Pressure mounts on Von der Leyen to deliver on environmental promises, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for swift and meaningful action.
The European Parliament has re-elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, securing 401 out of 719 votes. Von der Leyen outlined her plans for the next five years, including a new Clean Industrial Deal to enhance infrastructure and reduce energy bills. She reaffirmed the commitment to the Green Deal and emphasized the growth of clean technologies like hydrogen.
Industry reactions to her re-election have been positive, praising her ambitious environmental agenda. Groups like Eurelectric and Hydrogen Europe welcomed her victory, highlighting the potential for high climate ambitions and EU net-zero industrial investments. However, the pressure is on Von der Leyen to fulfill her promises, especially regarding the Green Deal.
Stakeholders stress the importance of swift action to address climate and nature concerns, cautioning against a singular focus on climate issues that neglect biodiversity and pollution. The need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the triple climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises is emphasized.
As the Commission President-elect, Von der Leyen will now proceed to nominate European Commissioners, with hearings scheduled after the summer. The stage is set for the EU to advance its environmental and industrial agenda under her leadership.