Berlin [Germany], January 7: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the year 2024 is "a key year for democracy" as Europeans are set to head to the polls amid ongoing major challenges for the continent, most notably Russia's continuing invasion of Ukraine.
"We have the elections in Europe, we have the elections in the United States of America. And we will do everything we can to ensure that open, free democracies prevail," von der Leyen told a retreat of Germany's Christian Social Union parliamentary group in Bavaria on Saturday.
The European Parliament is set to be re-elected at the beginning of June, followed by the presidential election in the US on November 5.
Looking ahead, von der Leyen called for Europe to focus more on defence. "Europe must have protection as a core task," she said.
Following the conclusion of recent reforms to the EU's asylum system, she said, it must be very clear: "We have always honoured our international commitments... But it is we, the Europeans, who decide who comes to Europe and under what circumstances - and not the smugglers and traffickers." Von der Leyen distanced herself from the CSU's proposal to reduce the European Commission, the EU's executive body, from the current 27 to seven commissioners.
Source: Qatar Tribune