The CDU Executive Committee has 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 event of her re-election, her central project will be to strengthen the competitiveness of companies in Europe. Von der Leyen also insists on her proposal to appoint a separate Commissioner for Defense. „There is already a Commissioner for the internal market and industrial policy who is also responsible for defense“, said the 65-year-old.