Browsing: Ursula von der Leyen

Italy’s PM is the real winner EU

Italy’s PM is the real winner

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“The post-fascist has managed to place one of her loyal followers, Raffaele Fitto, in one of the most influential posts in the Commission. He will become vice-president and commissioner for cohesion and reforms. This means he will be responsible for the European Social Fund and a fund for regional development, among other things. Meloni is over the moon about this decision, as it secures her additional power and influence in Brussels. However with this appointment, Ursula von der Leyen has lodged a political time bomb in her own Commission. Many members of the European Parliament are quite rightly appalled and have announced their opposition to the far-right Italian.”

‘We are very, very, very tired’: Migrants describe their journeys to Lampedusa EU

‘We are very, very, very tired’: Migrants describe their journeys to Lampedusa

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Ahead of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s scheduled visit to Italy’s Lampedusa island on Sunday, FRANCE 24’s Seema Gupta, Natalia Mendoza and Wassim Daly spoke with some of the migrants there to learn about their living conditions and the treacherous journeys they have made. Some local residents express frustration with the surge in arrivals, while a local church has become a place where donations are collected.

Will Macron and von der Leyen play ‘good cop, bad cop’ on China visit? China

Will Macron and von der Leyen play ‘good cop, bad cop’ on China visit?

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French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for a three-day state visit in a bid to dissuade China from supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But will the latest European leaders to visit China be able to manage the fine balance between trade and geopolitics?