Ursula von der Leyen has stressed the need to protect Europe’s prosperity and security against Russian threats. Addressing the 15th congress of the ruling Greek right-wing party New Democracy in Athens on Sunday, she underscored the significance of the impending European elections in June.
As the nominee of the European People’s Party (EPP), she stated that “Our peaceful and united Europe is being questioned like never before.” Declaring that Russia seeks to “wipe Ukraine off the face of the earth,” she went on to identify wider acts of aggression, including “hybrid attacks on Europe” and “social media manipulation or exploitation of migrants.”
With polls predicting a surge in far-right support in the upcoming European elections, Von der Leyen warned about Putin’s friends – populists or demagogues. She singled out far-right parties such as Germany’s AfD, the National Rally in France and the Confederation in Poland, accusing them of attempting to rewrite history.
“They want to destroy our Europe. We will never allow this,” she vowed. “Our role is to retaliate. We are defending Europe. We’re defending democracy. We’re safeguarding prosperity and security,” affirmed the EPP candidate.
Re-emphasising the need to “increase European defence spending,” she praised the invaluable support of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Greece, where defence spending exceeds 2% of its Gross Domestic Product, is seen as a leader in this respect.
Certifying Greece as “the first stage of my campaign,” the Commission President added, “I couldn’t envisage a better starting point.”
