The struggle for the election of Ursula von der Leyen as the new EU Commission President goes into the next round. On Friday, the European Social Democrats sent the CDU politician a six-page list of demands. Already on Thursday, the Liberals also set conditions. The election next week in the European Parliament could thus be very close.
The social-democratic faction leader Iratxe Garcia Perez sent the CDU politician the catalog of demands, which goes beyond promises of the Leyens, inter alia, in social and climate policy. A similar letter came from the Liberals. From the answers depend on whether to choose the candidate, said spokespersons of both groups on Friday.
Garcia Perez wrote that after Leyens‘ appearance in the Socialist Group this week, there are still some questions left, so that no decision can yet be made on her choice. This is followed by detailed demands, including a plan for additional investment in Europe worth one trillion euros by 2024, flexibility in the interpretation of EU austerity rules, controversial EU deposit guarantees, minimum tax rates and a fresh start to agricultural reform.
In the area of climate protection, the future commission is to promise a reduction of greenhouse gases by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. Currently, the EU target is 40 percent. Von der Leyen had spoken of a possible 50 percent – but in their own party already meets with reservations.
