Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, was re-elected for a second five-year term on Thursday, promising to address the EU’s challenges head on, including improving Europe’s defence capability and industry.
The former German defense minister, who became the European Commission’s first female leader in 2019, pitched herself as the best and most experienced captain to guide the commission.
Von der Leyen earned votes from 401 MEPs in the 720-seat house in the French city of Strasbourg, surpassing the 361-vote majority required to stay head of the EU’s executive body.
The secret poll was taken during the first parliamentary session since EU-wide elections in June, and 284 lawmakers voted against it.
Following the announcement of the results by parliament speaker Roberta Metsola, von der Leyen pumped his fists in the air.
She later stated that it was “a very emotional and special moment for me” and that the outcome “sends a strong message of confidence”.
Von der Leyen’s first tenure was fraught with crises, notably the coronavirus epidemic and the onset of conflict in Ukraine.
“We have navigated the most troubled waters that our union has ever faced,” she told reporters.
Von der Leyen, on the other hand, faces another difficult five years, with mounting anticipation that former US President Donald Trump would return to the White House following this year’s elections.
In the face of crises in and around Europe, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of a “strong Europe” amid a “period of deep anxiety and uncertainty”.
Other worries in her in-tray include the possibility of a larger conflict in the Middle East and the EU’s trade conflicts with China.
Not A ‘Blank Cheque’
European leaders were quick to offer their congratulations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose recent victory has many hoping for better EU-UK ties, said on X: “I look forward to working closely with you to reset the relationship between the UK and the European Union.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hailed the result, vowing she would deliver for Europe.
Von der Leyen’s re-election was “a clear sign of our ability to act in the European Union, especially in difficult times,” Scholz said.
“Times are hard, but with your courage and determination, I’m sure you’ll do a great job. We will do, together,” Tusk, an ex-top EU official, said.
European Council President Charles Michel — who had frosty relations with von der Leyen over the past five years — issued a social media post late Thursday saying: “(I) Welcome the European Parliament vote on Ursula von der Leyen as a pro-European choice.”
Michel, who will be succeeded by former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa on December 1, said, “Unity and sincere and loyal cooperation will be critical in addressing our common challenges: values, prosperity, security, and defense.” It will need a lot of collaborative work.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wished von der Leyen “every success in achieving results for all Europeans and strengthening the EU’s unity, defence, and economic power” on X.
In June, the EU’s 27 leaders vigorously disputed von der Leyen’s nomination before naming her as their continuity candidate.
Von der Leyen is a member of the conservative European People’s Party, the largest political party in parliament, which is in a centrist coalition with the Socialists and Democrats and the liberal Renew Europe parties.
She spent weeks trying to persuade other parties to back her.
Despite her support from the Socialists and Democrats, the organization cautioned that this did not imply a “blank cheque”.
“Our job begins now. We will continue working to put our social imprint in all EU policies for the next five years,” the group’s leader, Iratxe Garcia Perez, said in a statement.
Boosting Competitivity
Von der Leyen promised earlier on Thursday to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness by securing significant investment in important industries, including defense.
However, she stressed that the EU will not depart from its ambitious climate goals, which include decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040.
She stated that she will appoint a new commissioner to address Europe’s housing problem, boost the EU’s border agency Frontex, triple the number of border guards, and bolster the bloc’s efforts to combat disinformation.
Her promises to better defend the EU’s borders aimed to appease both her EPP allies and the far-right ECR group led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy.
Despite the fact that Brothers of Italy MEPs voted against von der Leyen, Meloni stated that this “will not compromise the cooperation” between Rome and Brussels.
Von der Leyen will now have to get to work selecting her next cabinet of commissioners to oversee EU policy.
Once she has picked her team, they will have to appear before parliament for confirmation hearings in the autumn.