Vulcan View: The latest EU developments 15 July – 19 July

What’s in store for von der Leyen’s second term in the Berlaymont

European Commission President was elected for a second term on Thursday (18 July) in Strasbourg. Although it was expected to be a very close call, von der Leyen received 401 votes, well above the 361-vote threshold. The vote shows that 284 lawmakers voted against her re-election, while there were 15 abstentions and 7 void. Her vote was successful following the Greens’ announcing just before the vote that they would back her candidacy.

Before her confirmation vote, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented her political guidelines for the next 5-year term. Ms. von der Leyen opened her remarks by declaring that, “in a world full of adversary, Europe’s destiny hinges on what we do next.”

During her 60-minute speech, she extensively focused on the need to develop the European Green Deal to ensure Europe’s economy is focused on sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, saying “Europe can choose to embrace change and invest in a new age of prosperity and bettering our lives”. Von der Leyen highlighted the need for more investment from farming to industry, and digital to strategic technologies, declaring that “Europe must be the home of opportunity and innovation.” 

Von der Leyen spoke about the geopolitical challenges faced by Europe due to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing war in Palestine. She has pledged to support Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight against Russia, highlighting Europe’s need to invest more in defence. Von der Leyen has pledged to create “a true European Defence Union” and criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent visit to Russian President Putin in Moscow as an “appeasement mission”.

Regarding green policies, von der Leyen pledged new measures to help European industries stay competitive while they invest in reducing emissions and promised a legally binding legally binding 90% emission reduction target by 2040. Additionally, she will put forward a new Clean Industrial Deal in her first 100 days in office.

While overall light on healthcare, Ms. von der Leyen, for the first time, confirmed that the Commission will put forward a Critical Medicines Act to address medicines shortages. However, no timeline for such an Act has been outlined. In line with the Act and the current work on revising the Pharma Package, the Commission will also enhance supply chains, increase access to treatments and tackle antimicrobial resistance as part of its continued objective to create a European Health Union.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s re-election signals strong support for her ambitious agenda. Emphasising sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, she aims to improve Europe’s economy through the Green Deal and Strategic investments. Focusing on defence, von der Leyen promises a resilient Europe ready to tackle ongoing geopolitical challenges.

Roberta Metsola re-elected as European Parliament President

On Tuesday, the new cohort of MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola (EPP/MT) as the President of the European Parliament. She is expected to hold the position for a minimum of 2.5 years.

Metsola is a member of Malta’s opposition Nationalist Party and is a close confidante of EPP Party and Group President Manfred Weber and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Despite this, she is widely respected and liked across the political spectrum. Metsola was elected by an overwhelming majority of 562 votes out of 623, the highest ever, showing that her support went beyond party lines. Her other rival for the position, former Spanish equality minister Irene Montero, (ES/LEFT) received only 61 votes.

In her re-election speech, she highlighted the key responsibilities of the next mandate, including enhancing economic competitiveness, addressing climate change, reinforcing social policies, and fighting political polarization.

While the President of the European Parliament does not control what legislation comes to the floor based on party political priorities (contrary to, for example, the U.S. Speaker of the House), her speech and priorities for the Parliament openly reflected the EPP’s election manifesto. Specifically, she called on MEPs to “be the voice that ensures all of our policies work and that they work well for young people, for families, for farmers and industry alike,” while also calling for real solutions to climate and the implementation of “proper migration and asylum legislation”.

Addressing the Parliament, Metsola emphasized that “This will remain the House of every person in Europe. Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe […]  I still want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and equal. A belief that together we are stronger, and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.”

On the economy, President Metsola called on new MEPs to “double down on Europe’s competitiveness” through deepening the single market, concluding global trade deals, having implementable targets for industry, and “cutting back on red-tape and unnecessary bureaucracy that pushes people and jobs away from Europe.”

With her re-election, Metsola consolidates her position as one of the most prominent EPP politicians and demonstrates her ability to work with forces across the European political spectrum. Since her first election as Parliament’s President in January 2022, following the unexpected death of her predecessor, David Sassoli, Metsola has taken a more active role than her predecessors in the post.

Harris-Starmer Chequers meeting revitalises Anglo-Irish relations

This week, the United Kingdom’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris at his country residence, Chequers. They had previously spoken by phone after the Labour leader’s election victory on 4 July. The theme of the engagement was to discuss the efforts to reset Anglo-Irish relations.

The Taoiseach was the first international leader to visit the UK since Sir Keir Starmer was elected. The haste in which this meeting has taken place was a reflection of the UK’s official state opening of parliament and King Charles’ speech, which took place earlier the same day. Of note to Anglo-Irish relations within the speech, the King highlighted the pledge that the government would uphold in undertaking measures to begin the process of repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Both the Taoiseach and Prime Minister have reaffirmed their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and speaking ahead of travelling to the UK, the Taoiseach reaffirmed that the reset in the relationship would be one that would take time and action and would have to be “more than just a slogan.”

Simon Harris voiced a positive outlook upon the completion of the dinner, outlining that both leaders had agreed to “work together” on what the repeal of the Legacy Act might look like.

When asked if the Irish government would revoke its interstate case that it has taken against the UK, Harris maintained that this meeting was a very early stage in a long process, but that both governments are working “step by step” to a common goal and that the two leaders have agreed to hold a summit every year.

The Taoiseach presented Starmer with a Donegal GAA jersey, and the Prime Minister gifted the Taoiseach a Downing Street whiskey decanter set. During the meeting, the leaders also discussed topical issues in relation to the EU such as the UK’s relationship with the European Union, Ukraine, and Gaza.

Sir Keir Starmer has accepted an invitation to visit Dublin on 7 September with the Taoiseach insisting that a reset of Anglo-Irish relations is “real” and noted that changes to are already ensuing, “It is under way, and it is meaningful.” An example of this was a commitment from Starmer at the engagement relating to closer cooperation with the European Union.

They will meet again on Thursday at the European Political Community Summit in Oxfordshire. On Wednesday, former Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said parts of the relationship between the UK and Ireland had become frayed, and that it is up to the Taoiseach and Prime Minister to create an active engagement for appeals to work.

Whilst this process has been hailed by many as overdue and hopeful and despite the positive attitudes towards the reset of relations, joint sensitivity will be required to address the turbulence to Anglo-Irish relations caused by Brexit and the Conservative government’s controversial laws to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. It will be paramount to build upon the fresh momentum that has emerged from Chequers with the two leaders already looking towards sustaining this on 7 September.

For more information, please contact the Vulcan team here.

Compliments of Vulcan Consulting – a member of the EACCNY.