Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President-elect of the European Commission, give a joint press conference after the reelection of Mrs VON DER LEYEN, as EC President. The Commission President-elect will now send official letters to member state heads of state or government inviting them to put forward their candidates for European Commissioner posts. Parliament will then organise nominee hearings in the relevant committees after the summer. The full college of Commissioners then needs to be endorsed by Parliament. Extracts from the press conference.

Strasbourg

press conference

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

appointment of the President of the European Commission (T)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

president's agenda

Von der Leyen II Commission (T)

Election of the President of the European Commission: extracts from the joint press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Ursula von der LEYEN, President-elect of the European Commission

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President:I would like to start by warmly congratulating Ursula von der Leyen on her well-deserved re-election as president of the European Commission. The clear vote in favour by members of the European Parliament is a testament to her strong leadership and unwavering values in testing times. It is the best possible decision for Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President: I was also pleased to note the Commission president referring to a stronger and more involved Parliament, the willingness to renegotiate the framework agreement, as well as her clear support for the Parliament's right to initiative. This is a win win and steps that will ultimately strengthen the union's legitimacy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President -: I cannot begin without expressing how much I am grateful for the trust and the confidence of the majority of the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President -: If you recall last one last time, it was eight votes above the majority necessary majority. This time it's 41. So much better. And. I will focus on building now my team of commissioners for the next five years. In the coming weeks, I will ask leaders to put forward their candidates. I will, as I did last time, write a letter and ask for the proposal of a man and a woman as candidates. Only exception like last time. And come when there is an incumbent commissioner that stays.

Question from a journalist -: In a few phrases. Your message to the citizens outside who might perhaps listen now.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President: We are working all together for a strong Europe. We are working on the topics of prosperity and competitiveness in our economy, social fairness because we have a social market economy. We are working on protecting people, social security and defence. But the most important is the overarching topic of strengthening our democracy. Our democracy is under attack from inside and from outside, and therefore it is crucial that the democratic forces stand together to defend our democracy.

Question from a journalist: How much of your plan for the next five years takes into account the fact that you may be dealing with a much less friendly white House in the future? Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President: I think this respective of elections in other parts of the world, it is important that we have, which I emphasised many times, a stronger Europe. And this includes, of course, that we reduce our dependencies. We will work very closely with our friends and allies. That is absolutely clear. But this does, also include that we are building our own strength and that we are strengthening, the qualities that Europe have and that we are working hard to have a strong Europe. This must be, the premise we are working on.