Von der Leyen's 2nd-term pitch: More military might, less climate talk - POLITICO Europe
Von der Leyen’s 2nd-term pitch: More military might, less climate talk - POLITICO
Behold Ursula von der Leyen’s transformation from green dove to military hawk.
As the European Commission president announced her bid for another term on Monday, von der Leyen was unequivocal: Her ambition is now to make Europe more “competitive” — a catch-all word that in 2024 means more military might, more Europe First purchases and more industry-friendly climate rules.
For the former German defense minister, the message reflects the current geopolitical climate. Europe is struggling with Russia’s warmongering, which is entering a third year just as U.S. support for Ukraine stalls and Donald Trump stampedes toward another potential White House term, threatening to abandon NATO allies along the way.
Related Knowledge Center: Climate diplomacy
Talks are well underway in preparation for the next major international meeting on climate change, 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), scheduled to begin Nov. 30 in the United Arab Emirates.
Much like last year’s COP27, finances — specifically, aid to developing nations — will be at the center of conference deliberations.
The conference faces an even greater sense of urgency brought on by the Sept. 8, 2023, release of the first global stocktake, which calls for accelerated action to meet the goals set in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement (COP21).
Climate diplomacy: COP 27 | Climate diplomacy: COP 28 | Climate diplomacy: COP 29