Brussels – The European Parliament elected, with 461 votes in favour, 151 against and 89 abstentions, the new College of Commissioners. The vote followed a debate in Strasbourg where Ursula von der Leyen introduced  her team of Commissioners who will take office on 1st December and their 2019-2024 programme. 

Tim Cole, Europe Executive Director at The ONE Campaign, reacted: “Today, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted how our greatest achievements have always come when we are bold. Now is the time for the European Union to be bold. 

Member states are already considering the Union’s next long-term budget. We need a bold and ambitious budget that increases EU aid for international development and puts the EU on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. If we want to show the rest of the world that they can rely on the EU as a global leader that honours its commitments and a champion of multilateralism, we need bold action now.

The future of the people and the planet depends on this. Climate change could push more than 100 million people back into extreme poverty by 2030. That’s why we need a European Green Deal that accounts for the impact of climate change beyond Europe’s borders. The new Commission needs to embrace this one chance to take bold steps for a better world at home and abroad. It won’t be easy but it’s the right thing to do.”

ENDS