EU Parliament confirms Ursula von der Leyen for second term as EU Commission president

Simona Mazzeo
Credit: Johanna Geron | Reuters

Strasbourg (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Parliament re-elected Ursula von der Leyen for another five years as European Commission president.

How did Ursula von der Leyen secure her second EU presidency term?

Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as president of the European Commission in a make-or-break vote on Thursday that characterised the single greatest test of her political legacy, generated across a succession of crises that have ruffled the bloc’s foundations.

Following a vote in the European Parliament, the incumbent obtained 401 votes in favour and 284 against, a large majority to back her second five-year term. The last time she encountered the hemicycle, she made it through with a razor-thin margin of nine votes. “The last five years have shown what we can do together,” she said. “Let us do it again. Let us choose strength. Let us choose leadership.”

Why was Ursula von der Leyen’s reelection widely expected?

Her reelection was not sure but widely expected after she was proposed by EU leaders and could depend on the support of her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), as well as the centre-left Socialist and Democrats (S&D) and liberal Renew blocs. In its gathering in Strasbourg, the S&D Group decided to give a favourable voting indication vote on the next EU Commission President. 

Iratxe García Pérez, S&D Group leader, said: “We have made the Commission’s Political Guidelines the most social and the greenest ever. With our demands, we shaped the chapter on the social dimension and we achieved a clear commitment not to cooperate with the far right, in the fight against climate change, and a just transition.

What are Ursula von der Leyen’s key priorities for her second term?

Earlier on Thursday, von der Leyen issued a 31-page policy proposal, summarising her preferences if she won a second term. Repeating remarks she made after last month’s vote, she emphasised “it is essential that the democratic centre in Europe holds” in the face of resurgent extremes, calling on mainstream players to “live up to the scale of the concerns and the challenges that people face in their lives.”

Von der Leyen vowed to “turbo charge investment” needed by cash-strapped EU governments for their “green, digital and social transition.” 

How does Ursula von der Leyen plan to address EU defence and security challenges?

She also promised to create a European Defense Union and establish a commissioner for defence, a new role for the bloc that was forged in peacetime but has since had to react to Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine, and the prospect of a Donald Trump-led United States withdrawing from the world stage.

Under the suggested new defence union, member states will retain responsibility for their troops, but will operate more closely with others to “coordinate actions to strengthen the defence industrial base.” She also offered a Europe-wide air defence system and cyber protection measures. Speaking in Strasbourg before her reelection, von der Leyen expressed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent trip to Moscow to encounter Russian President Vladimir Putin was “an appeasement mission,” and pledged to maintain EU support for Ukraine.

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
Share This Article
Follow:
Simona Mazzeo is a journalist at Brussels Morning News. She is covering European Parliament, European Council, European Commission & Italy News. She is a law graduate and lawyer residing in Agropoli, has carved out a multifaceted career dedicated to justice and social advocacy. She actively serves as a delegated councilor for the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Bar Association of Vallo della Lucania, championing fair and equal representation within the legal system. Recognized for her expertise and empathy, Simona is qualified for registration in the list of Special Curators of minors in civil and criminal matters at the Court of Vallo della Lucania, ensuring the rights and interests of vulnerable children are protected throughout legal proceedings. Beyond her legal practice, Simona demonstrates a strong commitment to social causes. She is a founding member of the Free Lawyer Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance to those who cannot afford it. Additionally, she leverages her knowledge and passion for social justice as a non-professional journalist, contributing insightful and informative pieces on relevant legal and societal issues. Through her diverse endeavors, Simona Mazzeo exemplifies dedication to legal excellence, social responsibility, and a fervent belief in equal access to justice for all.
The Brussels Morning Newspaper Logo

Subscribe for Latest Updates