CER/HSF hybrid discussion on 'Von der Leyen's second term: What future for the European Commission?'

Speakers:
Marco Buti, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa Chair, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute
Catherine Day, Board Member, The Institute of International & European Affairs
Chair: Charles Grant, Director, Centre for European Reform

During Ursula von der Leyen's first term as Commission president, its priorities included the Green Deal, the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Will the second term focus on different issues, such as competitiveness and defence? The first term was marked by centralisation: von der Leyen and her close aides took many of the key decisions. Will that trend continue in the second term? How will the relative weakness of France and Germany affect the role of the Commission? With the latest developments in the US, China and elsewhere, can the Commission become, as von der Leyen wishes, "geopolitical"? Our panel discussion was led by two of the Commission's most senior officials of recent decades.