Von der Leyen has promised to create commissioners for housing and the Mediterranean if she is re-elected as European Commission president.

President of European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenpromised this Thursday in the general session of the European Parliament Create two new portfolios for Commissioners for Housing and the Mediterranean, which will be added to the new position in charge of Defence already announced during the campaign, if MEPs support his renewal at the head of the Community Executive Committee in the vote to be held at noon.

“Europe is facing a housing crisis that affects people of all ages and families of all sizes; prices and rents are rising and people are struggling to find affordable housing. That is why I will for the first time appoint a commissioner directly responsible for housing,” the German politician said during his speech in the European Parliament.

This position will be accompanied, he explained, by the development of a European plan for affordable housing, which will examine all the factors of the crisis and help unleash the necessary private and public investment.

“The Mediterranean region must attract all our attention,” von der Leyen warned MEPs after warning of the need to find a “common approach” to the issue of deporting irregular migrants, so that they are “more effective and worthy”, and also to strengthen agreements with third countries.

For this reason, he announced that the programme includes the creation of a Commissioner for the Mediterranean region who will work in coordination with the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas. The aim, according to the document containing the orientations for von der Leyen’s next term, is to address plans ranging from investment, partnership, economic stability and job creation in the region to energy, security and migration “in respect of the values ​​and principles of the European Union”.

Another conservative policy bet if she is re-elected is to triple the budget for the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex) to ensure up to 30,000 agents are ready to deploy in crisis situations or to confront possible hybrid attacks or provocations.”