Assita Kanko criticizes EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen put forward her vision for a stronger and more prosperous Europe. Key initiatives include a new Clean Industrial Deal to drive decarbonisation and industrial growth, and a European Competitiveness Fund to boost innovation. She announced that she would boost security by doubling Europol’s staff and tripling the number of European Border and Coast Guards to 30 000. She proposed a European Democracy Shield for countering foreign information manipulation and interference, and a European Affordable Housing Plan.

Ms von der Leyen also suggested a plan for agriculture to address the need to adapt to climate change and a Roadmap for Women’s Rights. Saying that “we must enable young people to make the most of Europe’s freedoms”, she highlighted the importance of the Erasmus+ programme, mental health, and tackling issues related to screen time and social media, including addictive practices.

She put significant focus on defence, proposing to create a new post of Commissioner for Defence to drive the European Defence Union and calling for a comprehensive aerial defence system – a European Air Shield – to protect EU airspace and “as a strong symbol of European unity in defence matters”.

Ms von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, reaffirming that “Europe will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes”.

New Commissioner roles she announced include Housing, to tackle the continent’s housing crisis; the Mediterranean, to foster regional stability and cooperation; and Intergenerational Fairness, to ensure policies consider the needs of future generations.

Responding to her speech, MEPs emphasised the importance of listening more to workers, farmers, and industry voices. They welcomed the new policy focus on housing, and stressed the need for fair international competition, strong support for Ukraine, ending the war in Gaza, and better control of migration. Many called for continued efforts to push back against the rise of far right politics, and to promote social justice, climate action, and gender equality. Several MEPs wanted more focus on the fight against poverty, unemployment, and for a solidarity-based Europe.

Some MEPs also argued for the importance of listening to citizens’ desire for protection, identity, and sovereignty, rejecting excessive regulation and mass immigration while also calling for strategic autonomy. Some condemned current economic and agricultural policies, advocating instead for a Europe of free and sovereign nations.

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[ioanaiuga]

Ursula is demon ! please fight against her !!!!

[pavlarybarova]

That Roberta is just as bad as Ursula. Maybe worse. I hope they both end up in jail where they belong.

[orionxtc]

she is not European...her accent is African

[horvatp]

Sad je Slovakia na redu da je eu komisija ucjenjuje novcem

[Tuukka]

EU, please stop being a pitiful lackey of Washington and US interests. Best regards: Pro-European taxpayer from Finland 🫡

[monster-tcnz]

How is SHE talking about being opressed while at the top of the political hierarchy?

[MACAYCZ]

She isn't European, she was born in Burkina Faso.

[SnowWhiteArches]

bla bla bla, she should not be allowed to critisize these things, it's not her continent

[paulstuart]

This old chestnut, women often get priority now & men are no less scrutinised. Assito is an African female given an important role, she should do her job & focus on the issues affecting Europe.

[KaterinaKyriaki]

You are not European, You are afrikan, Europe is a Greek word.

[canemcave]

oh the poor victim, at the top of the power hierarchy, and still the victim, how pitiful

[HoboGodfrey]

We had very good female politicians years ago before quotas, now we have dreadful politicians like von der Leyen and Baerbach.

[ultimatedeathmetal]

She is right with what she says, but she is NOT Eurpean, just because she lives here. I as well cannot claim to be a Chinese just because i settled there.

[belfasta]

All talk and no action meps absolutely useless

[alexandroshatzinotas]

Please.., Let he who disagrees Speak freely.., lady "Roberta - Chairman" ! We understand that there are laws in the EU parliament.., but it sounds and looks like So blatant that different opinions, even expressed with strong arguments, are immensely bothering you and lady "Von Der Lying" !!!

[vitorbarroso]

Jà falei varias vezes os Europeus Sao Brancos nao negros

[pablogawlo]

Cieszę się, że mieszkam w Polsce i nie muszę patrzeć i słuchać tegi gówna.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤