Ane Barcos. Aquí Europa
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was yesterday chosen as the official candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP) to repeat as head of the Community Executive after the European elections next June.
The Popular Party, meeting in Congress since Wednesday in Bucharest, supported Von der Leyen by 400 votes in favor and 89 against as their candidate for a second term as president of the European Commission.
The Congress, which concluded yesterday, brought together approximately 2,000 participants from 44 countries to discuss the values and political principles of the EPP, as well as to prepare for the elections to the European Parliament in June.
“As a European at heart, this moment moves me,” said the current president of the Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, her new X account.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every member of the EPP who supports me so strongly. I hope to fight with this wonderful party at my side. For prosperity, security and democracy,” added the German.
For his part, the leader of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, highlighted that the EPP had warned a year ago about the need to address problems such as bureaucratic burden, effective border control and economic competitiveness, among others, and that the situation current validates those concerns. Furthermore, he expressed full support for Ursula von der Leyen and the EPP’s role in maintaining European unity in the face of challenges such as migration and the pandemic.
Weber reaffirmed the EPP’s commitment to Ukraine and its leadership in supporting the country. He also emphasized the importance of a strong European defense to deter any external threat, underlining the EPP’s determination to protect Europe, regardless of political changes, and maintain the security of the continent.
“Sánchez, puppet of Puigdemont”
Weber also attacked the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, stating that he “is becoming a puppet of Puigdemont”, after the amnesty law was approved yesterday in the Justice Commission of Congress.
Before his European co-religionists, the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, expressed his concern about a European government “that is about to leave serious crimes against the European Union unpunished,” including terrorism, embezzlement of public funds and declaration of independence of a region.
Feijóo urged from Bucharest not to disappoint the trust of the Spanish people and to protect European values inside and outside the borders. He advocated for greater support for Ukraine in the face of the situation in Russia, underscoring the need for Russia to return to international law and stop the war.
