The former German minister did not directly refer to the comments by Macron, who was also present at the forum. READ ALSO: Who is Germany's Ursula von der Leyen, the top candidate set to take the EU's top job? Von der Leyen reaffirmed a pledge to increase spending on external action by 30 percent in the EU's next long-term budget. "I want us to spend this money effectively and more strategically," said Von der Leyen, who will take over from Jean-Claude Juncker when the new commission takes office. Without naming specific countries, Von der Leyen complained that "existing powers are going down new paths alone" while "new powers are emerging, reemerging and consolidating" instead of working within the existing multilateral system.

Source: The Local November 12, 2019 13:24 UTC