Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the urgent need for increased defence spending in Europe, pointing out that while Russia allocates 9% of its GDP on defence, the European average is merely 1.9%, highlighting a significant disparity that must be addressed given the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The European parliament gave its endorsement to von der Leyen's executive team in a vote of 370 to 282, marking the narrowest margin in history since the approval powers were conferred in the 1990s. This indicates deep political divides among the members of the parliament.
Von der Leyen stated that Europe must invest massively in its security and prosperity, especially amidst acute challenges such as the war in Ukraine and fears of economic decline. She called for a collaborative approach with NATO to bolster Europe's defensive capabilities.
The political landscape within the EU executive now leans significantly right, with 15 of the 27 new commissioners belonging to or allied with the centre-right EPP, which poses questions about potential shifts in policy direction for the future.
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