Next Five-Year Plan in the EU: Police, Trains, and Oceans

Everything from less bureaucracy to more police and simpler train journeys is promised in Ursula von der Leyen's plans for the EU Commission until 2029.

» Published:

Next Five-Year Plan in the EU: Police, Trains, and Oceans
Photo: Jean-Francois Badias/AP/TT

Share this article

Everything from less bureaucracy to more police and simpler train travel is promised in Ursula von der Leyen's plans for the EU Commission until 2029.

The guidelines were presented both orally and in writing on Thursday and include, among other things, a European growth plan with simpler rules for companies. All of von der Leyen's future commissioners will be tasked with "diving into" their portfolios and reducing the regulatory burden.

Among the commissioners, there will also be a defense commissioner, a special Mediterranean commissioner for the region, and a commissioner responsible for housing.

Further defense investments are promised, such as a European "air defense shield". The police cooperation Europol will be developed with double the personnel, while the common border guard will be expanded to a personnel force of at least 30,000.

On the environmental side, a "European ocean pact" will help both fish and fishermen, and von der Leyen also wants to write into the EU's climate law the goal of 90 percent emission reductions by 2040.

Even train travel is given space, with a promise to propose cross-border digital booking rules so that it will be enough to buy one ticket for an entire long journey.

When Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as Commission President on Thursday, 360 votes were enough, rather than the 361 previously stated as necessary.

The fact that the number has decreased by one vote is because only 719 of the 720 members have been able to register so far. The 720th is the Belgium-based Catalan exiled politician Toni Comín, who has not yet been approved by Spanish authorities.

In the end, the number didn't matter since von der Leyen got support from 401 members in total.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threats, Analyst Warns

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threats, Analyst Warns

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting

Images of Trump and Epstein at Windsor Castle Lead to Arrests

Images of Trump and Epstein at Windsor Castle Lead to Arrests

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Death Penalty Charges

Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Faces Death Penalty Charges

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Israel's Powerful Offensive

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

EU Plans New Sanctions Against Israel Over Gaza Conflict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Farc Leaders Sentenced for Kidnappings in Landmark Colombia Verdict

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Nato Praises Joint Efforts in Eastern Sentry Operation

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Judge Drops Terror Charge Against Luigi Mangione in CEO Murder Case

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Missile Fired at Israel from Yemen After Port Attack

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Suspected Drone Flight Over Polish Palace

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza

Global Leaders Condemn Israel's Escalation in Gaza

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Trump Cuts Colombia from Anti-Drug Allies List, Sparking Tensions

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Afghan Man Gets Life Sentence for Knife Attack at German Market

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas

Hungary Says USA Understands Its Position on Russian Oil and Gas