The EU Commission’s president-designate has sent a strong conciliatory message to the UK in declaring that she is ready for another extension beyond October of the date of Brexit “should more time be required”. Ms von der Leyen will also be in the market for a new secretary general for the commission after incumbent Martyn Selmayr, also a German, last night told colleagues he would be standing down. Climate changeIn her speech Ms von der Leyen put a heavy emphasis on action on climate change. The commissioner designate also spoke strongly of the social dimension of the social market economy, a classic reiteration of the values of her Christian Democratic party and EPP. “In the single market economy,” Ms von der Leyen said “everyone deserves a minimum wage that pays for a decent living.”Pointedly addressing the Polish and Hungarian delegations she said there could be no compromise on the rule of law.

Source: The Irish Times July 16, 2019 06:38 UTC