Von der Leyen announced her bid for a second term as European Commission President with a pivot towards priorities of military might and competitiveness over climate action. As the current geopolitical climate sees the war in Ukraine enter its third year and concerns over declining US support for NATO, von der Leyen emphasized building European defence capabilities. She wants a new EU Defense Commissioner and cooperation on defence spending between countries. On climate, von der Leyen is taking a softer approach by vowing to consult businesses on regulations and offer concessions, a change from her initial Green Deal plans.
This shift reflects the changing political winds in Europe. Green parties have fallen in popularity while concerns over economic stability, immigration and security have risen. Farmer’s protests against environmental rules clog streets in several capitals. Securing another term will require support from von der Leyen’s center-right EPP group, whose leader Friedrich Merz prioritizes keeping businesses competitive over climate action. Von der Leyen must walk a fine line between these new priorities and defending her legacy as an advocate for the Green Deal and digital transition.
Von der Leyen will also have to work to reunite the pro-EU coalition that elected her in 2019, as the rise of far-right populism threatens this. She may have to court votes from the Greens or the right-wing ECR, whose influence from Italy’s Brothers of Italy party could be key. Von der Leyen has taken an unusually strong stance against far-right leaders while imploring voters to “strengthen the centre.” Her candidacy announcement marks a transformation from a green advocate to a figure accommodating new geopolitical and political pressures to increase chances of reelection.
By Politico
Photo by Richard R. Schünemann
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