(Brussels) “I will always be open to discussing and exchanging with you. This is the way I have always worked and will continue working. I want to build a special relationship with the European Parliament, working closely with the House as a whole, the political groups and individual members”. This is the letter that the nominated candidate for President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, addressed to S&D group leader Iratxe Garcia Pérex. Following her recent meetings with EP political groups, the Socialists and Democrats and Renew Europe said they would wait for further clarifications from the candidate before deciding whether they would vote for her on Tuesday, 16 July, in Strasbourg. Today’s letter largely anticipates what Ms von der Leyen would probably say in her address to the plenary session tomorrow at 9:00. We can only deal with the “challenges and opportunities” facing Europe, if we “rally around what unites us: our shared values and our commitment to building a more tolerant, fair and equal society”, the candidate wrote. Ms Von der Leyen stated that her political priorities as Commission President will “draw on the contributions that I have received from the European Parliament’s political groups” and on the European Council’s Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024. Hence “my main priority will be to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050” and during “my first 100 days in office”, “I will put this ambition into law”.