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WORLD NEWS Friday 19 July 2024
Ursula von der Leyen reelected to a second 5-year term as

European Commission president

By MIKE CORDER and JEAN- voters who were asking for
FRANCOIS BADIAS change and who now will
Associated Press suffer the wicked choices of
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — the green extremists.”
Lawmakers at the European Von der Leyen earlier told
Parliament on Thursday re- lawmakers she would “never
elected Ursula von der Leyen accept that demagogues
to a second 5-year term as and extremists destroy our
president of the European European way of life. And I
Union’s executive commis- stand here today ready to
sion, giving her a comfort- lead the fight with all the
able majority and heading democratic forces in this
off a possible leadership house.”
vacuum. In a speech that sought to
Von der Leyen raised both shore up support across the
fists in victory as the Parlia- political spectrum, von der
ment President Roberta Leyen pledged to strengthen
Metsola read out the result the EU economy, its police
at the legislature. She called and border agencies, tackle
her reelection a victory for migration and pursue policies
her backers, lawmakers she tackling climate change
called “pro-European, pro- while also helping farmers
Ukraine (and) pro-rule of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, reacts after the announcement of who have staged protests
law.” the vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Thursday, July 18, 2024. against what they call sti-
The reelection ensures lead- Associated Press fling EU bureaucracy and
ership continuity for the der attack from inside and and to not do deals with the Christian Democrat after a environmental rules.
27-nation bloc as it wrestles from outside, and therefore far right. speech in which she pledged She also vowed to tackle
with crises ranging from the it is crucial that the demo- “The majority against the far to be a strong leader for Eu- housing shortages across
war in Ukraine to climate cratic forces stand together right must hold for the future. rope in a time of crisis and Europe and said she would
change, migration and hous- to defend our democracy.” We must not let our guard polarization. appoint a commissioner for
ing shortages. Von der Leyen The Greens/European Free down in the face of grow- The secret ballot came hot the Mediterranean region
said she and her supporters Alliance group in the par- ing far-right forces that work on the heels of strong gains due to the multiple chal-
are working “for a strong Eu- liament voted for von der to strip away our rights and by the far right in last month’s lenges it faces.
rope,” citing themes of pros- Leyen after receiving assur- destroy our democracy,” election for the European She also took a swipe at Hun-
perity, security and defense. ances from her on her com- said the group’s president Parliament. garian Prime Minister Viktor
“But the most important is the mitment to Europe’s climate Bas Eickhout. Italy’s far-right League party Orbán and his recent visit to
overarching topic of strength- initiatives, improving social A clear majority of 401 law- said in a statement that von Russia shortly after his coun-
ening our democracy,” she policies including moves to makers in the 720-seat legis- der Leyen’s victory “has be- try took over the rotating
said. “Our democracy is un- provide affordable housing lature voted for the German trayed the vote of millions of six-month EU presidency. q

A woman becomes commander of the Canadian Armed Forces

for the first time

By ROB GILLIES Carignan was promoted to been 50% female since he as Canada continues to government recently said
Associated Press the rank of general during took office in 2015. face criticism from NATO that it would reach its NATO
TORONTO (AP) — A woman the change-of-command Carignan is no stranger to allies for not spending 2% of commitment by 2032, but
has become the top com- ceremony, after being firsts. She was also the first its gross domestic product specifics have yet to be
mander of Canada’s mili- chosen by Trudeau’s gov- woman to command a on defense. The Canadian provided.q
tary for the first time. ernment to become Can- combat unit in the Canadi-
Gen. Jennie Carignan offi- ada’s first female defense an military, and her career
cially took over command chief. has included deployments
of the Canadian Armed Trudeau called it a historic to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia
Forces in a ceremony at day and praised Carignan and Syria.
the Canadian War Muse- as someone of the right For the last three years,
um in Ottawa on Thursday. caliber to take over. He she has been the chief of
Prime Minister Justin named her to the role ear- professional conduct and
Trudeau said that Carignan lier this month. culture, a job created as a
is the first woman to lead “You are the very first wom- result of the sexual miscon-
the military of any Group of an to ever become Chief duct scandal in 2021.
20 or Group of Seven coun- of the Defense staff in Can- Carignan called the pro-
try. ada, the very first in the G7 motion a natural step and
“That could create a mod- and the G20. You are a role said that she is grateful.
el and a change in terms model for all Canadians “I’m ready for this. I’ve
of what is possible for wom- and the world,” Trudeau worked all of this time,” she
en,” Carignan said. “It’s a said during the ceremony. said.
great step forward. It is a In 2018, Trudeau appointed She said her top priorities Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with Gen.
result of many, many years the first female head of the include recruitment and re- Jennie Carignan, incoming Chief of the Defence Staff, after her
remarks at a change of command ceremony at the Canadian
within the Canadian Forc- Royal Canadian Mounted tention. War Museum in Ottawa, on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
es.” Police and his Cabinet has The appointment comes Associated Press