Von der Leyen Commission begins its term

On Sunday, Ursula von der Leyen began her five-year term as the new European Commission President, taking over from Jean-Claude Juncker.

The first woman to hold the post, von der Leyen is entering the job with a full inbox of issues to attend to. She has said that she intends to make climate change one of her top priorities and described it as an existential crisis for humanity.

She told MEPs: "This is an existential issue for Europe and for the world."

"How can it not be existential when 85% of people in extreme poverty live in the 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change?"

On November 28, the EU Parliament declared a state of "climate emergency". Ms von der Leyen is expected to unveil her "European Green Deal" on December 11.

Von der Leyen, who was previously Germany's Defence Minister, said she plans to speak to Beijing on her first official day in the office about the Uighur internment camps, revealed in the China Cables, where at least one million ethnic Muslims are reportedly being held.

The issue of Brexit is also on the agenda.

During her speech to MEPs, Ms von der Leyen who was brought up in Brussels said she herself would always be "a Remainer".

However, she said the commission would respect the decision taken by the British people - whilst continuing to protect EU members.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's College of Commissioners won approval in a confirmatory vote at the EU Parliament earlier this week following weeks of delays after several member states' proposed commissioners were rejected.

The EU Council presidency also changed hands as Donald Tusk was replaced by former Belgian prime minister Charles Michel.

EU Parliament President David Sassoli, who was elected in July this year, was joined by von der Leyen and Michel, as well as European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, at Sunday's event.

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