Von der Leyen proposes centralizing joint EU energy purchases in response to escalating prices

On Tuesday, October 6, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the European Union's energy crisis by proposing the centralization and reinforcement of joint energy purchasing. Speaking in Strasbourg, France, she announced the creation of a new task force designed to aggregate regional demand and handle energy acquisitions amid surging prices, alongside plans to initiate a strategic dialogue with refineries.

In addition to addressing energy supply and pricing pressures, von der Leyen urged member states to avoid substantial cuts to the European Union's long-term budget for the 2028-2034 period. Rejecting budget reduction demands from Germany and other nations, she emphasized the necessity of agreeing on new revenue sources to sustain the bloc's financial framework while navigating ongoing economic and energy challenges.