European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made her first public appearance since recovering from severe pneumonia, attending a two-day summit in Berlin. The event focused on key European issues such as security, migration, and economic competitiveness.
European Security, Migration, and Competitiveness
Von der Leyen joined Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz and European People’s Party (EPP) President Manfred Weber at the summit, which began on Friday. Leaders discussed pressing European concerns, including migration policies, security challenges, and strategies to bolster economic competitiveness.
A significant topic was Europe’s relationship with the United States as the region anticipates the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday. Calls for reducing bureaucracy also featured prominently on the agenda, signaling an effort to streamline European governance in response to economic pressures.
Merz Pushes for Tougher Migration Policies
Friedrich Merz, whose CDU party leads the polls ahead of Germany’s February federal election, emphasized the need for stricter migration measures. Merz lauded Sweden and Italy’s recent efforts to curb illegal migration, describing Germany’s progress in the area as “small steps.”
Merz’s comments reflect the CDU’s campaign strategy, which includes a focus on migration reform as a central policy. The discussions at the summit are expected to influence the party’s platform as it prepares for the upcoming election.
Rising Far-Right Influence Casts Shadow Over Summit
Despite the CDU’s policy-driven focus, the growing influence of far-right politics in Europe remains an unavoidable topic. Austria’s recent coalition experiment between conservative and far-right parties highlights the potential implications of such alliances.
With the far-right gaining traction in Germany, the CDU faces increasing pressure to counteract their influence while maintaining its lead in the polls. The summit provided an opportunity for CDU leaders to strategize on balancing their policy priorities with electoral challenges posed by far-right gains.
Von der Leyen’s Return
Von der Leyen’s return to public duties underscores her commitment to addressing critical European issues amid complex political and economic challenges. The outcomes of the Berlin summit will likely shape the CDU’s electoral strategy and influence broader European discussions in the months ahead.