European Commission President von der Leyen will not attend Carney’s speech at the European Parliament
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will not attend Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. The Canadian prime minister is due to address lawmakers on Thursday at 11:30. This was reported by Politico Europe.
Šefčovič will represent the European Commission
During Carney’s speech, the European Commission will be represented by Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. This was confirmed by the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho.
According to Pinho, von der Leyen will return to Brussels due to previously scheduled commitments. One of them is a press conference on an initiative for children’s safety online.
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Speech ahead of the Canada–EU summit
Carney seeks to deepen Canada’s ties with the European Union amid worsening relations with Washington. Ahead of the Canada–EU summit scheduled for October, he is expected to outline Canada’s priorities for Brussels.
The Canadian prime minister’s speech will take place the day after his participation in von der Leyen’s annual State of the European Union address. During key speeches and debates at the European Parliament, the European Commission is represented by one of its 27 members. On Thursdays during plenary sessions in Strasbourg, most European commissioners usually return to Brussels, while some remain in France for the final plenary debates.
