EU chief backs calls for new defence tsar
by AFP Staff Writers
Brussels (AFP) Feb 15, 2024

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen supports appointing a dedicated EU defence commissioner as the bloc seeks to ramp up its defences in the face of Russia, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

The EU is set to name a new executive after elections for the European Parliament across its 27 nations in June.

"It will be for the new president of the commission to decide the composition and the specific roles," Arianna Podesta, a spokeswoman for the EU's executive arm, said.

"What I can confirm is indeed president von der Leyen sees positively, very positively this idea."

Calls to set up the role come as Brussels pushes to revive its defence industry to allow it to better support Ukraine in its fight against Russia and allow the EU to face off against the threat from Moscow.

The European efforts have taken on greater urgency given the spectre of a return to the White House for Donald Trump, who has cast doubt on US support for its NATO allies.

Von der Leyen is expected to announce her candidacy for a second term at the head of the commission next week and is likely to get broad support from key governments.

At present EU defence issues are split between several top officials including foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and internal market commissioner Thierry Breton.

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