Brussels, 17 June 2024
(Translated with support of Google Translate)
Remarks by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at his arrival at the EU Leaders’ Summit:
CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: We are meeting here after the European elections, which, whatever one can say about them, have brought one thing: a stable majority of political platforms – which have also worked closely together in Parliament so far – from the European People’s Party, Social Democrats and Liberals. There are also others who fit-in politically, but essentially that is the basis for supporting the Commission Presidency.
That is why I am quite sure that we will be able to reach an understanding between the political families and the countries in Europe in the shortest possible time, and that we will have proposals on the questions of: “Who will be the next Commission President?”, “What will happen next with the European Council, who will be its President?”, “What will we do with the High Representative?” and a few other things.
It would also be important for this to be decided quickly and promptly now; because we are living in difficult times, and it is important to know what will happen next with Europe.
QUESTION: Are you expecting a decision today?
CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: As I said, I am sure that it will happen quickly and efficiently. All the discussions I have had in recent weeks and months have been aimed at finding a constructive solution here quickly. Because the political platform that has supported the [Commission] President so far in Parliament once again has a majority, I believe that we will also be able to find a reasonable solution here quickly.
One thing is clear: Parliament must not support the Commission Presidency that is based on right-wing and right-wing populist parties.
QUESTION: For what reasons will you support Ursula von der Leyen for a second term?
CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: I think everything that needs to be said has been said now. We will find a solution quickly and efficiently, and I am pleased that you are supporting this.