Ursula von der Leyen reelected as European Commission president

STRASBOURG,— Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected for a second term as President of the European Commission, securing her position with a significant majority.

The European Parliament cast 401 votes in her favor and 284 against in a secret ballot, affirming her leadership for another five years.

In her address to Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen, 65, outlined her agenda for the coming term, emphasizing her commitment to strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities and advancing the EU’s green transition while mitigating its impact on industry.

She stressed that the next five years would be crucial in determining Europe’s global role and its ability to shape its own future.

Von der Leyen underscored the importance of maintaining momentum on the “Green Deal,” which aims to transition the EU economy towards sustainability.

This pledge resonated strongly with Green lawmakers, who were instrumental in her re-election, joining forces with her core coalition of centre-right, centre-left, and liberal parties.

In her speech, von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to bolster European defense in light of ongoing threats from Russia.

She expressed a firm stance on investing in defense to safeguard European freedoms, reflecting a strategic shift towards greater autonomy in the face of potential challenges from international relations, including uncertainties surrounding U.S. policy under a potential return of Donald Trump.

Von der Leyen, a former German defense minister, announced plans to establish a “true European Defence Union” featuring key initiatives in air and cyber defense. This proposal has drawn criticism from Russia, which perceives it as an escalation towards militarization and confrontation.

During her speech, von der Leyen also criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for his recent visit to Moscow, describing it as an “appeasement mission.”

Her remarks received strong support from the Parliament, highlighting her stance on European solidarity in confronting external threats.

Traditionally, defense policy in Europe has been managed by national governments and NATO. However, given the geopolitical landscape, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and potential shifts in U.S. policy, the European Commission is now advocating for increased joint European defense efforts.

In addition to her defense strategy, von der Leyen pledged to implement ambitious climate policies. These include a legally binding target for the EU to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.

She also promised new measures to help European industries remain competitive while investing in emission reductions.

The support of the Greens, which formed part of the informal alliance backing von der Leyen, played a crucial role in her re-election, ensuring she secured a comfortable majority.

Although her coalition held 401 seats, some members were expected to oppose her, highlighting the challenges of maintaining unity in a diverse political environment.

Von der Leyen also committed to enhancing EU border controls and increasing police cooperation to combat crime. Despite these promises, she did not secure the backing of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, which voted against her.

Her re-election marks a period of continuity for the European Union’s key institution amid both internal and external challenges, including rising support for far-right and eurosceptic parties within the 27-nation bloc.

In the coming weeks, von der Leyen will present her team of commissioners, who will undergo individual hearings before a final vote on the full Commission later in the year.

(With files from Reuters)