Policy priorities will shift in next EU Commission

Significance

Centre-right and populist right-wing parties made gains in June's EP elections. Reflecting pressure from her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), von der Leyen has committed to focusing on defence and security and is speaking less about her ambitions for mitigating climate change.

Impacts

• The strength of populist right-wing parties will ensure that centre-right parties continue to adopt a more right-wing stance.
• With a more right-wing EP, there is a chance that the legislature will support reduced regulation and bureaucracy regarding industry.
• Member states are unlikely to contribute financially to increasing the Commission’s investment in defence procurement and cooperation.