European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has vowed to create a "European Defence Union" and to stay the course on Europe's green transition while cushioning its burden on industry as she pitched for a second term.
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Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen laid out a program focused on prosperity and security as she sought backing from MPs for another five-year term in charge of the European Union's powerful executive body.
"The next five years will define Europe's place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others," she said on Thursday before a secret ballot on her candidacy later in the day.
After pledging to support Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight against Russia's invasion, von der Leyen said Europe's liberty was at stake and it must invest more in defence.
Von der Leyen, a former German defence minister, pledged to create " a true European Defence Union", with flagship projects on air and cyber defence.
She also blasted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's recent visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow an "appeasement mission", winning broad applause from MPs.
Defence policy in Europe has traditionally been the domain of national governments and NATO.
But following Russia's attack on Ukraine and amid uncertainty over how much Europe will be able to rely on the United States for its protection, the European Commission is seeking to push more joint European defence projects.
She also pledged to stick to the goals set out in the European Green Deal, a climate package that was one of the main policies of her first term.
She promised a raft of climate policies including a legally binding EU target to cut emissions 90 per cent by 2040.
She also pledged new measures to help European industries stay competitive while they invest in curbing emissions.
The vote will determine if there is continuity in the European Union's key institution at a time of external and internal challenges - including mounting support for far-right and Eurosceptic political parties across the 27-nation bloc.
With no obvious alternative candidate, von der Leyen's supporters have framed the vote as a choice between stability and chaos, as her rejection would create political deadlock.
EU MPs cast their ballots at 1pm on Thursday (9pm AEST).
Australian Associated Press
