Strasbourg, 18 July
POLITICAL GUIDELINES FOR THE NEXT EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2024–2029
Ursula von der Leyen
Candidate for the European Commission President
EUROPE’S CHOICE
Campaigning across Europe ahead of this year’s European elections was a reminder of what makes our Union what it is. Almost 500 million people with such disparate cultures, complex histories and differing perspectives all coming together at the same time to articulate their wish for an entire Union of 27 countries. In casting their vote they also help to build a shared European identity – all of this bound together by our rich and varied cultural tapestry. This is Europe’s greatest strength. It makes Europe more than a construct or a project. Europe is our home: unique in design and united in diversity.
From the record number of first-time voters to those who have voted in every European election, people expressed hopes and aspirations for a healthier and more prosperous future. But they also pointed to the fact that we are in an era of anxiety and uncertainty. Europeans have real doubts and concerns about the instabilities and insecurities we face – from the cost of living, housing and doing business to the way issues such as migration are handled. From our security at home to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. They also worry that Europe is often not fast enough; that it can be either too distant or too burdensome.
All of these expectations and concerns are real, legitimate and must be responded to. For that reason, I believe it is essential that the democratic centre in Europe holds. But if that centre is to hold it must live up to the scale of the concerns and the challenges that people face in their lives. Failure to do so would fuel resentment and polarisation and leave a fertile ground for those who peddle simplistic solutions but in reality want to destabilise our societies.
This is the backdrop to what is an era of profound change – for our society and our security, our planet and our economy. The speed of change can be destabilising and, for some, can lead to a sense of loss for the world as it used to be and a worry for the world as it will be.
All of this – coupled with the fallout from elections and events in a more contested world – has created a turbulent and potentially seismic period for Europe. The risks are real, the responsibilities serious.
Europe now faces a clear choice.
A choice to either face up to the uncertain world around us alone. Or to unite our societies and unite around our values.
A choice to be dependent, to let the divisions weaken us. Or to be bold in our ambition and sovereign in our action, working with our partners around the world.
A choice to ignore new realities or the speed of change. Or to be clear-eyed about the world and threats around us as they really are.
A choice to let the extremists and appeasers prevail. Or to ensure our democratic forces stay strong.
My view is that our era’s greatest challenges – from security to climate change to competitiveness – can only be solved through joint action. Our threats are too great to tackle individually. Our opportunities too big to grasp alone.
Against this backdrop, I believe Europe must choose its best option: Union.
This is based on a deep conviction that it is only Europe that can live up to our generational challenges in this unstable world – whether supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, protecting our planet, ensuring social fairness, defending democracy, supporting livelihoods, industries and farmers, or leading on the tech breakthroughs that will shape the world for the rest of this century.
In the last five years, Europe has shown what it can achieve when it does it together. When it is fast and uses its size and power – as we did when securing vaccines for every Member State at the same time. When it is bold and ambitious – as we were with on the twin green and digital transitions and our recovery plan, NextGenerationEU. When it is united – as we have been in support of Ukraine, freedom and democracy at the darkest and most difficult of times.
It is time for Europe to step up collectively once again.
This is a shared responsibility for all European voters, but also for all those flying the European flag, from Kyiv to Chisinau, Tbilisi and across the Western Balkans – as well as those calling for a European future in the streets of towns and cities across our Union and continent. We must prepare for that future – by supporting all candidates in their merits-based journey to our Union, and by preparing our Union for the future with essential reforms.
The Union that we choose cannot be boiled down to a binary question of more or less Europe. For these times, we need a Union that is faster and simpler, more focused and more united, more supportive of people and companies. We need a Union that acts where it has added value and where we all mobilise together with a clear goal and a collective mission – EU insititutions, national and regional governments, private sector, social partners, citizens and civil society.
We have achieved a lot together in the last five years, from the European Green Deal to NextGenerationEU, the Pact on Migration and Asylum and the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. We must and will stay the course on all of our goals, including those set out in the European Green Deal.
Our focus must now be on implementing what we have agreed, working closely with all stakeholders and focusing on our big challenges. This is why I want to define a set of focused and collective objectives for 2030 and beyond, with clear targets and outcomes in these priority areas.
Defence and security. Sustainable prosperity and competitiveness. Democracy and social fairness. Leading in the world and delivering in Europe.
The Political Guidelines are our plan for European strength and unity. The priorities set out here draw on my consultations and on the common ideas discussed with the democratic forces in the European Parliament, and also on the European Council’s Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029. They are not an exhaustive work programme but aim to steer our common work.
The next five years will define Europe’s place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others.
In a world of adversity and uncertainty, I believe Europe must choose to stick together and dare to think and act big. To live up to the legacy of our past, to deliver for the present, and to prepare a stronger Union for the future.
This is the driving force behind these guidelines and all that I want to work on with the European Parliament and the Member States in the next five years.
Full text of the Guidelines:
Source – EU Commission