Скачать или смотреть New EC president speaks after her confirmation

(16 Jul 2019) Ursula von der Leyen has been confirmed as the new European Commission president, becoming the first woman to hold the prestigious position.
The European Parliament voted 383-327, with 22 abstentions, on Tuesday to approve von der Leyen's nomination.  
The confirmation required an absolute majority of 374 votes and the outgoing German defence minister scraped through with just nine votes to spare.
Von der Leyen has pledged to make combating climate change a priority, with an aim for Europe to be carbon neutral by 2050.
She also promised to work to ease internal division within the EU (European Union) and strengthen the trade relationship with the United States.
Von der Leyen was put forward as a last-minute candidate by EU leaders as part of an overall appointments package, sidestepping parliamentary wishes.
Many legislators felt cold-shouldered and said they would oppose her out of principle, not over personal considerations.
Von der Leyen will replace Jean-Claude Juncker when his term expires at the end of October.
She is a strong supporter of closer European cooperation who has been Germany's defence minister since 2013 and a fixture in Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet over the long time leader's nearly 14 years in power.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...