2024-2029 Commission: Ursula von der Leyen re-elected; "We will increase our spending on research"

"We will increase our research spending to focus more on strategic priorities, on innovative basic research and disruptive innovation, and scientific excellence", states Ursula von der Leyen in her policy guidelines for the Commission 2024-2029, on 18/07/2024.

She was re-elected President of the European Commission by the European Parliament on the same day, with 401 votes in favour.

During the debate with MEPs, she indicated that her top political priority was prosperity and competitiveness. She also spoke of R&I and skills.

In her desire to "place research and innovation at the heart of the European economy", she wants to expand the ERC and EIC, and also create a European AI Research Council, "where we can pool all our resources".

To play a leading role in innovation, Ursula von der Leyen says it is necessary to create the right conditions for researchers to flourish, "such as providing them with the infrastructure and innovative laboratories they need".

"This also means attracting new talent and retaining the best brains and brightest minds here, in Europe. To this end, I want to…