EU’s von der Leyen vows to fight for democratic, ‘strong’ Europe in bid for second term

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pushed for a “strong Europe” in a speech to the European Parliament as she seeks a second five-year term. In a final pitch before the vote, the former German defence minister pledged to create a joint European defence union and to lead the fight to preserve a democratic “European way of life”.