New leaders take over at European Union

BRUSSELS: New leaders have taken over at the top of the European Union during a turbulent time for the bloc.

Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen officially replaced Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, two days after a handover ceremony, becoming the first woman in the job. Belgium’s Charles Michel succeeded Donald Tusk as EU Council president and chair of the summits of EU leaders.

Von der Leyen and Michel marked the day in Brussels with events for the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty in the House of European History. European Parliament President David Sassoli hosted the ceremony, welcoming the new leaders while calling on them to deliver on promises made to its 508 million citizens, saying “it is now time to act”.

“We need to turn the promises of the past few months into results that improve people’s lives,” Sassoli said. “From the fight against climate change to tackling the rise in the cost of living, Europeans want to see real action.” Momentum is building to face the challenge of climate change and Von der Leyen has said it will be a top priority for her.