Von der Leyen: When NATO's Not Enough, Build a ‘European Union of Defense”

Ursula von der Leyen pasted together a re-election as the European Commission President, promising a combination of more military spending for her European People’s Party group, stricter greenhouse-gas emission-reduction targets for the Greens, and a tripling of border guards to suppress immigration. She told the European Parliament: “Let us make the choice of strength,” centered on her “European Democracy Shield.” She explained that the Russian threat means that, “for the very first time our liberty is at stake…. We must do everything we can to protect our citizens, it is our duty. I do believe it is now time to build a veritable European union of defense.”