EU Parliament Votes on Ursula von der Leyen's Re-Election
The European Parliament is set to make a crucial decision regarding the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as the President of the European Commission. The vote, scheduled for Thursday, 18 July, in Strasbourg, could be a close call. Von der Leyen, who was the only accepted candidate at an EU summit, needs an absolute majority of 361 votes to secure her position. The voting process will begin at 1 p.m., following her final address to the MPs in the morning.
Challenges and Political Maneuvering
Von der Leyen's path to re-election is fraught with challenges. The centre-right EPP alliance, including the CDU and CSU, holds 188 seats, which is not enough for a majority. The secret nature of the election means there is no party discipline, adding to the uncertainty. In 2019, she narrowly won with 383 votes out of the required 374. This year, her attempts to garner support from both the right and left have been criticized. The Social Democrats, in particular, have expressed discontent over her rapprochement with Giorgia Meloni. Despite these challenges, von der Leyen is attempting to form an informal coalition with the Social Democrats, Liberals, and Greens.
Impact of Recent EU Court Ruling
A recent ruling by the EU Court on the Commission's handling of multi-billion dollar corona vaccine contracts could have significant implications for the election. The court found that the Commission had violated EU law by withholding information, which could reinforce accusations of a lack of transparency. This ruling has led to calls from the left wing of the European Parliament to postpone the vote until the documents affected by the ruling are reviewed. However, it is unlikely that this position will gain sufficient support.
Broader Implications and Future Prospects
The global political climate, particularly the war in Ukraine, also plays a role in the election. MEPs might favor von der Leyen to ensure EU stability during these turbulent times. If she fails to secure re-election, the EU heads of state and government will have to propose another candidate within a month. Informal surveys suggest that von der Leyen could receive between 365 and 420 votes from the EPP, Liberals, Social Democrats, and Greens. The outcome will be clear by 3 p.m. on election day.
