Innovation, decarbonisation, security: these are the three pillars around which Ursula von der Leyen promised to work with her Commission in the next five years, if today she receives a confidence vote from the European Parliament. President von der Leyen held a speech to the plenary session in Strasbourg, in which she mentioned the underlying values of the European Union and the challenges that await her. After her speech, a debate is being held among the MEPs, which will be followed by a recorded vote. Von der Leyen began her speech by drawing attention to some milestones in the history of Europe through to this day and age, with Russia’ war of aggression against Ukraine. In this respect, “freedom does not come for free”, Von der Leyen said: it involves “difficult choices, it means investing hugely in our security and prosperity. And above all it means remaining united and staying true to our values. Finding a way to work together and overcome our fragmentation”. “Fighting for freedom unites us as Europeans; for me, this is the raison d’etre of our Union. This is the Europe I love and this is the Europe my Commission will always take care of”.