EU Commission President Von der Leyen foresees a challenging future: "The next five years will be as hard as the last five."
Europe's Challenging Road Ahead: Ursula von der Leyen's Warning
Luxembourg, Jan 27 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a stark warning on Monday, asserting that the next five years will be as daunting as the last, marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Speaking at her swearing-in ceremony, Von der Leyen pointed to disruptive forces that threaten the international order and those who sow fear and division within societies. She emphasized that rights and freedoms must never be taken for granted, and criticized regions that believe competitiveness can be achieved by ignoring common norms.
In her address, Von der Leyen underscored the importance of a strong, independent judicial system and announced that overarching values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights will continue to guide the European Union. She pledged that the EU will strive to defend its union with absolute dedication.
Meanwhile, Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal, Teresa Ribera, vowed to uphold the EU's treaties and charter of fundamental rights and refused to accept any instructions from external entities.
Behind the Scenes
The European Union is bracing for a slew of challenges over the next five years, and Von der Leyen's words reflect the need to remain steadfast and strategic. Some of the hurdles the EU faces include reducing bureaucracy and boosting competitiveness, enhancing strategic autonomy, environmental and energy transition, addressing security threats, and energy pricing and electrification. The EU aims to confront these issues with bold initiatives such as the 2025 Commission Work Programme, the ReArm Europe Plan, and investments in renewable energy and grid modernization.
Ursula von der Leyen will navigate these challenges while leading the European Commission, a role that makes her one of the most influential figures in the European political arena. Stay tuned for updates on the EU's roadmap for the next five years and how it aims to tackle the manifold challenges that lie ahead.
Related Topics: Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission, Luxembourg, Teresa Ribera, COVID-19, Ukraine, Rule of law, Climate change, European Union, Energy, Security.
- The next five years in the European Union will be challenging, as Ursula von der Leyen warned, with issues including migration, war-and-conflicts policy-and-legislation, and crime-and-justice being critical areas of focus.
- In her swearing-in speech, Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of a true migration policy that respects human dignity and human rights, and pledged the EU's absolute dedication to defending its union.
- As Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal, Teresa Ribera vowed to uphold the EU's treaties and charter of fundamental rights, refusing to accept any instructions from external entities.
- To confront the upcoming challenges, the EU has proposed bold initiatives such as the 2025 Commission Work Programme, the ReArm Europe Plan, and investments in renewable energy and grid modernization.
- Amidst these challenges, Von der Leyen stands as one of the most influential figures in European politics, leading the European Commission and navigating the EU's roadmap for the next five years.
- General news outlets will undoubtedly cover the EU's progress and strategies in addressing these complex issues, providing insights into the politics behind the negotiations and the implementation of policy-and-legislation.
