Statement by President von der Leyen at the Joint Press Conference with President Metsola Following the European Parliament Plenary Vote

18 July 2024

Thank you very much, Roberta.

Good afternoon to everyone.

I guess you have heard my speech, and you might have the possibility to have gone or read the Political Guidelines. So you can imagine this is a very emotional and special moment for me now. I just want to make three very short remarks before moving on to your questions.

The first one is a more personal remark. I cannot begin without expressing how much I am grateful for the trust and the confidence of the majority of the European Parliament. 401 votes in favour – you will recall last time, it was 8 votes above the majority, necessary majority. This time, it is 41, so, much better. And… this sends a strong message of confidence. And I think it is also recognition for the hard work that we carried out together in the last five years in the last mandate. We have spared no effort. We have navigated the most troubled waters that our Union has ever faced. And we have kept the course on our long-term European goals. I also want to thank you, Roberta, the Group leaders of the democratic forces in [the] Parliament and all the MEPs for the excellent cooperation including during the last mandate but also for the very substantial exchanges we have had over the past two weeks – after the elections and over the past two weeks till we are here. So I think this is a very good foundation for the next five years. And this was, I think, tangible in the debate today.

Second, I want to highlight that I was very happy to have the opportunity to carry out a real, pan-European electoral campaign. As you know, it brought me from Helsinki to Lisbon, from Bucharest to Rome and many different places. I engaged with people from all walks of life. And I enjoyed taking part in the series of the TV debates we had with the other candidates. I think this makes our European democracy much more vibrant.

And finally, let me walk you briefly through the next steps indeed. I will focus on building now my team of Commissioners for the next five years. In the coming weeks, I will ask Leaders to put forward their candidates. I will – as I did last time – write a letter and ask for the proposal of a man and a woman as candidates. [The] only exception [is], like last time, when there is an incumbent Commissioner that stays. And then I will interview the candidates as of mid-August, and I want to pick the best-prepared candidates who share the European commitment. Once again, I will aim for an equal share of men and women at the College table. The new team will get ready for successfully passing the Parliament hearings. And then I will again seek the confirmation of this House.

Thank you very much.