Ursula von der Leyen reacts after being chosen President of the European Commission for a second term, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, July 18, 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was elected for a second term on Thursday after pledging to create a continental "defence union" and stay the course on Europe's green transition while cushioning its burden on industry. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others," von der Leyen said ahead of a secret ballot on her candidacy. Von der Leyen, a centre-right former German defence minister, pledged to create "a true European Defence Union", with flagship projects on air and cyber defence. Von der Leyen also promised a raft of climate policies including a legally-binding EU target to cut emissions 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels.

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Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der, von der Leyen, Von der, Von der Leyen, Viktor Orban's, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump Organizations: European Commission, Green, Russia, European Defence Union, Hungarian, Defence, NATO, U.S Locations: Strasbourg, France, Ukraine, Moscow, Europe, United States