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Ursula von der Leyen’s first year at the helm of the EU Commission was marked by the crisis of the crown. A balance sheet.
The first woman to head the European Commission touches the big ladle at the beginning of her stay in Brussels. Anyone who knew Ursula von der Leyen from her time in Germany was ready for it.
The proven German minister wanted to show from the beginning that she too could be president. Its slogan “A Union that wants to achieve more” was on a giant poster at the Commission’s headquarters in Brussels for weeks.
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You would soon find a Union that wants to achieve more, especially in climate policy. With the “Green Deal”, Europe will be the first climate-neutral continent from 2050, according to the announcement. Already in spring, the Commission was able to launch a European climate law, which will have to overcome another hurdle at the December EU summit.
There are still many ambiguities regarding funding or projects for the energy transition. There is also the question of how the president of the Commission can convince member states like Poland, which continue to depend heavily on coal mining, as well as agriculture and the automotive industry, of the “Green Deal”.
Reducing Ursula von der Leyen’s first year as Commission Chair to just the “Green Deal” would not do justice to the important announcements made by the Ph.D. The EU should also be at the forefront of digitization and be taken seriously on the world stage as a geopolitical power. These big announcements are typical of Ursula von der Leyen politics, says German journalist Daniel Goffart, who wrote a biography on von der Leyen together with Ulrike Demmer.
And then came the pandemic
They were scenes from the spring of this year that have not been seen in Europe for decades. Member states are closing their borders, the free movement of people has effectively stalled, and protective equipment is scarce. Ursula von der Leyen tries to take over coordination in the crown crisis, but it is often a step too late and is hardly heard in EU countries. Competences for borders and health policy lie with the Member States.
It looks different when it comes to financial skills. In order to support the countries heavily burdened by Corona, von der Leyen responded with great promise. With the recovery resp. The funds for reconstruction will be available to the value of 750 billion euros. The top German politician relies on the support of Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron.
After days of negotiations, the reconstruction fund is confirmed in a modified form by the heads of state and government. Von der Leyen can use the fund to expand his power, as the Commission can issue bonds on the capital market to raise the money it needs.
The recovery fund is not an aid package that von der Leyen can claim as the only success, but her many years of experience have helped her put this historic aid package in motion.
However, the rebuilding fund is not yet in the dry towels. The 750 billion euros and the long-term budget are currently locked in by Hungary and Poland. The President of the Commission is once again facing a disunited Europe that should stay together, especially now during the pandemic.
