Five years ago she passed the exam by only nine votes. This time the conservative Ursula von der Leyen has been working hard to avoid last‑minute surprises and to secure a second term at the helm of the European Commission. The final stage unfolds this Thursday in the hemicycle of the European Parliament, where she has pledged to launch the first European plan for affordable housing and appoint a commissioner with housing responsibilities, maintain the European Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, create a defense commissioner to forge an “authentic Union of defense,” and strengthen Frontex while tripling the border guards to 30,000 officers.
All of these issues respond to the demands of the four political groups – the European People’s Party, the Socialists, the Liberals, and the Greens – with whom she has negotiated and shaped the new policy priorities included in the government program she plans to implement over the next five years. “I have listened very closely to the democratic forces in this Parliament and I am convinced that these guidelines reflect everything we have in common,” she said during a fifty‑minute address to the European Parliament, touching on competitiveness and the economy, security and defense policy, energy, agriculture, immigration, and a polarization that threatens Europe.
Affordable housing
Housing is among the most novel focal points. Brussels has limited direct authority here, yet it worries ordinary Europeans. “Some would say we should not get involved, but the European Commission must engage in matters that matter to Europeans,” she stated amid applause. The assessment, crafted by her team in coalition with the grand alliance, is clear: “We must urgently address the housing crisis faced by millions of families and young people. The share of family income spent on housing has risen sharply. Rents and house prices are soaring,” and there is a “large and growing gap in investment in social and affordable housing,” the Commission acknowledges.
To close the gap, she proposes appointing a European commissioner dedicated to housing and unveiling the first European plan for affordable housing. “The plan will tackle structural factors, develop a housing construction strategy, provide technical assistance to cities and member states, and focus on investment,” she explains, without giving figures or quantified targets. She also signals that the European Investment Bank will be used, under the leadership of Nadia Calviño, to create a pan‑European investment platform designed to attract more private and public money. The immediate measure will be to inject liquidity into the market, allowing member states to double the housing‑related investments under cohesion policy. Brussels will also review state aid, particularly for social housing and energy efficiency, with the aim of financing support through the Just Transition Fund for climate action.
30,000 border guards
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Von der Leyen also highlighted another major concern for governments and citizens: migration policy. “We must strengthen Frontex,” she argued, proposing to triple the border guards to 30,000 and streamline repatriations because “tighter borders will help us manage migration more effectively.” On this front, she will present a new Mediterranean pact to develop fresh strategic partnership agreements.
Additionally, a defense commissioner will work closely with the European Union’s new top diplomat, Kaja Kallas. This area will be central to her term. “Our freedom is under threat,” she asserted. “It is Europe’s duty to protect its citizens. Now is the time to build a true Europe of defense,” she urged, advocating a European air defense system that guards not only our airspace but also symbolizes unity.
Maintaining the Green Deal
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The German leader hasn’t forgotten the Green Deal and the rule of law, two top demands from the Socialists, Greens, and Liberals. On the Green Deal, she has vowed to keep the standards aimed at climate neutrality by 2050 while reviewing the ban on combustion engines from 2035 to allow exemptions for synthetic fuels. Regarding the rule of law, she warned that she will not sit idly by as polarization grows. “I will not accept extremists and demagogues who want to destroy our way of life. I intend to wage a fight against all forces of anti‑democracy in this chamber,” she said, announcing also a European shield of democracy.
One of the moments that drew the loudest applause came when she spoke about Russia and the visit of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin. “Two weeks ago, a European prime minister traveled to Moscow on a peace mission that proved to be nothing but a de‑escalation mission. Two days later, Putin directed missiles at a children’s hospital in Kiev. We watched mothers try to shield their young cancer patients. That attack was not an accident; it was a chilling message from the Kremlin to all of us. Our response must be equally clear,” she said, arguing for everything Ukraine needs to win and endure.
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To confirm her nomination, von der Leyen will need at least 361 votes out of the 720 in the European Parliament (719, since Toni Comín’s seat remains vacant). Five years ago she surpassed the threshold by a margin of nine votes. This time, although some delegations from the grand coalition will vote against her (notably the Irish Populars over Gaza and some socialist delegations), the backing of the Greens and some ECR delegates, including Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, suggests she could emerge with a slightly larger margin in a secret ballot that will begin at 13:00.