Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Chair of the EPP group, speaks to the press in the European Parliament in Brussels, declaring his decision to candidate to be the next President of the EC.  The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Brussels

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

press conference

2019 European elections (T)

Press point by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Chair of the EPP group (12:46 - 12:51)

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Ladies and gentlemen the EPP group had today his first meeting after the summer break. They discussed first of all the political challenges the current situation. The main topics especially for the autumn and I have to tell you there is still a lot to do for us.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), But Today's group meeting was also the beginning of our preparation for the European elections. Europe is at a turning point. Next May the people in the European Union will decide about the future of this continent. And again the people will decide.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), The framework is different, difficult. We are being challenged from outside, the EU is also being attacked from inside, the radicals and anti-Europeans, by those who don't believe in the idea of partnership. And on top the whole world is in a deep transition, digitalisation, globalisation, migration, demographic development.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Europe that is what I believe in needs a new plan. I am firmly convinced that today it is about the self preservation of Europe. It is about the defence of our values and is about the survival of the European way of life. One important step to tackling these challenges is from my party for me the nomination of a top candidate from the EPP in November in Helsinki.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), You know probably you read already about this that I had a lot of talks during the last weeks where I was discussing this point with my friends in the EPP group and in the party family. And I was always asking myself, can I master the challenges. Can I personally contribute. And my answer is yes, yes I am ready for it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), I believe that I can help to create a kick start, a new beginning probably, a new era for Europe. This is so urgently needed because we cannot go on, like we are now. People expect us to lead a better Europe, probably to a more ambitious Europe. To do so, I believe first of all we have to keep Europe together. We Cannot allow that there are so much splits inside of our European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), There is no Europe of East and west, there is no Europe of rich and poor, there is no Europe of large or small countries. There is only one European Union. I want to bring together the interests. I want to build up bridges because I deeply believe that only together we can be strong. Otherwise Europe has no chance in today's world.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), I see myself as an European politician. I am committed to Europe and I am committed to all citizens of the European Union. For me the team comes first. Having listen, I will try to manage a compromise and then I will lead. That is what I did as a group leader and that is what I will continue on in the future. We need also new ideas for this European Union. The European Union is seen from the perspective of the people too much as a bureaucratic, as an elite structure and I want to give Europe back to the people.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Last year or four years ago we made already a first important step to make Europe more democratic. And I will continue to strengthen the democracy in the European Union and European institutions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), I see myself first of all as a representative of the people. I'm elected as a member of the European Parliament. I'm Elected and I am proud to be a parliamentarian and I want to re-establish the bond between the citizens and the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), This is why it was important for me to announce my decision today, first of all in front of my EPP group at the heart of European democracy in the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Yesterday my party in Bavaria the CSU officially nominated me. Today I declared my readiness to my group. I want to be EPP's top candidate for the elections of the European Parliament in 2019 and I want to become the next president of the European Commission. I thank you for your attention and I try to convince as many delegates as possible for the nomination in Helsinki. Have a nice day.