Hopes for health from new European Commission leader

Abstract

Ursula von der Leyen, the former German minister of defence, looks set to become President of the European Commission at a vital time for the European project. The rise of the populist right was unexpectedly matched by a rise in votes for liberal and green parties in the recent EU elections, making it less likely that von der Leyen will have to satisfy empowered populists during her presidency. Similarly, as it has become obvious across Europe that leaving the EU entirely is undesirable, the voices demanding a Brexit of their own have gone silent. Perhaps this position of relative strength is why the Commission chose von der Leyen, an avowed federalist who has spoken before about “The United States of Europe”. Possessing a medical doctorate and a Masters in Public Health, von der Leyen is in a strong position to become a Commission President with a focus on health. Indeed, she opens her guidelines for the 2019–24 session of the European Parliament with the statement “Europe is a unique aspiration. It is an aspiration of living in a natural and healthy continent.” Some of her policy goals appear to back this up, leading as she does with a European Green Deal, pledging to make Europe a carbon-neutral continent by 2050, and to move towards a zero-pollution ambition. Other mooted social interventions that will have an impact on poverty and public health include an EU-wide fair minimum wage and a European Child Guarantee, offering every at-risk child access to free health-care and education. There are gender initiatives too, enshrining gender balance on corporate boards, transparency in wages, and strong action against domestic violence. Von der Leyen has had a turbulent time in German politics recently, as an ongoing investigation into alleged problems at the defence ministry with procurement has overshadowed her time as minister. She was also cleared by her university of accusations of plagiarism in her doctoral thesis. We hope that her medical background and her commitment to sustainable development will create a strong European Commission with a focus on public health and environmental sustainability. For the Political Guidelines for the Next European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/political-guidelines-next-commission_en.pdf For the Political Guidelines for the Next European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/political-guidelines-next-commission_en.pdf