Europe: New term? Von der Leyen gives speech on the state of the EU

In her annual State of the Union address, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did not say whether she would seek another term in office after the European elections next June.

Instead, the top German politician focused her speech, which lasted just over an hour, on projects still planned for the coming months. These include, among other things, the fight against illegal migration and efforts to reduce the EU’s dependencies on countries like China.

Von der Leyen only made general comments about the upcoming elections. “In less than 300 days, Europeans will go to the polls in our unique and remarkable democracy,” she said.

As with every election, this will be the moment “when people will reflect on the situation in our European Union – and what those who represent our fellow citizens have achieved.” It will also be the moment to decide what future and what Europe voters want.

In order to be able to remain at the head of the EU Commission for another five years, the CDU politician von der Leyen would have to be nominated as the top candidate of the European EVP party family for the European elections, as things currently stand. In addition to the German CDU and CSU, this includes the Austrian ÖVP, the Italian Forza Italia and Spain’s conservative People’s Party PP.

Successor to Stoltenberg?

So far, von der Leyen has publicly avoided all questions about a possible second term in office. One possible reason is that the 64-year-old doesn’t want to start the election campaign now, but wants to push ahead with important EU projects for a few more months.

But there is also speculation that the US government in particular would like to see her as the successor to Jens Stoltenberg as NATO Secretary General and that it wants to keep this option open. The Norwegian wants to finally resign from his position after the next major alliance summit in Washington in the summer of 2024. As a former defense minister, von der Leyen is considered a possible ideal candidate for the top job.

CDU leader Merz: “She has our support (…)”

The State of the Union speech is given by the President of the EU Commission in the European Parliament every September. It is based on the State of the Union address, which is considered one of the most important speeches by the US President.

A possible further term of office for von der Leyen is supported by the CDU leadership, among others. “She has our support if she is willing to do so,” said party leader Friedrich Merz in April after a CDU executive committee meeting. Von der Leyen said at the time about the question of running again that she had not yet made her decision. For them, it is important that the EU institutions work as one in these critical times.

International Conference Against Human Trafficking

According to her speech, the EU Commission is planning an international conference against human trafficking. “It is time to put an end to this unscrupulous and criminal business,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her speech.

Traffickers lured desperate people and sent them along deadly routes through the desert or out to sea in unseaworthy boats, von der Leyen complained. Laws would have to be applied more strictly, and EU authorities such as the border protection agency Frontex would need more powers. However, global human trafficking can only be combated in cooperation with partners, which is why a conference is needed.

Ukraine refugees should continue to benefit from special rules

War refugees from Ukraine should also be able to stay in the EU without any problems until at least March 2025. Von der Leyen announced that the Commission would propose to extend the temporary protection regime for Ukrainians in the EU.

The four million people who have found refuge in the EU since the start of the war are still as welcome today as they were in those fateful first weeks. “Our support for Ukraine will last,” said the top German politician.