In the media
28.10.2019

Ursula von der Leyen faces tough challenges as Commission President, says Markus Jachtenfuchs.

Speaking on German radio Deutschlandfunk, Jachtenfuchs says assembling majorities will be hard.

In an interview on German radio Deutschlandfunk, Hertie School Professor of European and Global Governance Markus Jachtenfuchs says he expects continuity, but also some tough challenges ahead for Ursula von der Leyen when she takes up her new position as European Commission President on 1 November. One of these will be keeping the Commission together and assembling majorities for her proposals, especially as the traditionally large, centrist coalition in the EU Parliament is gone, he says. "She's a very international and European person," Jachtenfuchs said. "I think she has what it takes to be a President who will continue to make the Commission an important body. But one should not be under the illusion that the EU Council will leave the field without a fight."

Listen to the interview on Deutschlandfunk (in German).

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