01:31Belgium: Von der Leyen meets with MEPs in bid to become EU Commission chief
The European People's Party (EPP) candidate to lead the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met with European lawmakers in Brussels on Wednesday as part of her bid to win support for her candidacy.
Footage shows von der Leyen attending the meeting with MEPs from the European Parliament's Green, Socialist and free-market centrist groupings.
Von der Leyen, who currently serves as Germany's defence minister, reportedly vowed to put the fight against climate change, the protection of the rule of law and competitiveness at the core of her five-year mandate, while speaking to the MEPs.
She also commented that the EU is based on the principle of the rule of law, and it needs to show unity and more assertiveness on the global stage, as well as stressing her commitment to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050 and the need to have an equal share of men and women as European commissioners.
The candidate also mentioned Brexit, saying that the deal negotiated by outgoing UK Prime Minister Theresa May and the bloc was a good one and urging British lawmakers to come to a solution.
Von der Leyen, who faces the EU parliament vote on her candidacy next week, needs to win an absolute majority of 376 votes in the 751-member parliament to be appointed.
01:31The European People's Party (EPP) candidate to lead the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met with European lawmakers in Brussels on Wednesday as part of her bid to win support for her candidacy.
Footage shows von der Leyen attending the meeting with MEPs from the European Parliament's Green, Socialist and free-market centrist groupings.
Von der Leyen, who currently serves as Germany's defence minister, reportedly vowed to put the fight against climate change, the protection of the rule of law and competitiveness at the core of her five-year mandate, while speaking to the MEPs.
She also commented that the EU is based on the principle of the rule of law, and it needs to show unity and more assertiveness on the global stage, as well as stressing her commitment to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050 and the need to have an equal share of men and women as European commissioners.
The candidate also mentioned Brexit, saying that the deal negotiated by outgoing UK Prime Minister Theresa May and the bloc was a good one and urging British lawmakers to come to a solution.
Von der Leyen, who faces the EU parliament vote on her candidacy next week, needs to win an absolute majority of 376 votes in the 751-member parliament to be appointed.