Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission, securing a second five-year term in a secret ballot vote by the European Parliament.
Von der Leyen, a center-right former German defense minister, received 401 votes in favor, surpassing the 360-vote majority needed in the 720-seat legislature. Her victory comes despite some dissent within her own political group, the European People’s Party, as well as opposition from far-right and Eurosceptic parties.
In her address to the Parliament prior to the vote, von der Leyen outlined an ambitious agenda focused on bolstering Europe’s defense capabilities, strengthening its industry, and tackling issues like the housing crisis. She vowed to create a “true European Defence Union” with flagship projects on air and cyber defense, while also reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the Green Deal and its climate goals.
Von der Leyen’s reelection was endorsed by the leaders of the European Union after a summit meeting, where her Christian Democratic Union party remained the largest group in the EU Parliament following the recent elections. However, she needed to court support from other centrist and center-left groups, such as the Socialists and Democrats and the Greens, to secure a comfortable majority.
The vote was seen as a critical juncture for the EU, with von der Leyen framing it as a choice between stability and chaos amid various external and internal challenges, including the war in Ukraine, economic competition, and the rise of far-right and Eurosceptic movements. Her reelection ensures continuity in the EU’s executive body at a time of heightened uncertainty.
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During her first term, von der Leyen navigated the EU through multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. She championed initiatives like the Green Deal and the EU’s response to the pandemic, though she also faced criticism over a lack of transparency in vaccine procurement negotiations.
With her second term secured, von der Leyen will now work to tackle a wide range of challenges facing the EU, from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to trade tensions with China and the housing affordability crisis. Her ability to build coalitions and maintain a steady hand at the helm of the Commission will be crucial in the years ahead.