Yesterday, the CDU Executive Committee unanimously nominated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the lead candidate of the Christian Democratic Party family EPP in the European elections. In the election campaign, von der Leyen wants to score points with her plan to strengthen the competitiveness of European companies. She also reiterated her proposal to appoint a separate Commissioner for Defense. Given the threat posed to Europe by Russia, she said it was necessary to better organize the Community’s defense industry. Markus Grabitz has the details.