Ursula von der Leyen Re-elected as President of the European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission, securing 401 votes in favor out of 707 cast by the European Parliament. This marks a significant increase from the narrow margin of nine votes by which she was elected five years ago. The official candidate of the European People's Party (EPP), von der Leyen, has managed to garner support from a broad coalition, including the socialists (S&D) and the liberals (Renew), despite the secret ballot nature of the vote.
Coalition Building and Key Support
In her quest for re-election, von der Leyen faced intense negotiations and had to build a larger majority. She sought the support of the Greens, who did not back her in 2019 but were keen to be part of the 'Von der Leyen coalition' this time. The creation of a commissioner for affordable housing, a demand from socialists and environmentalists, and other strategic roles, such as one for the demographic challenge and another for relations with the Mediterranean, were pivotal in securing this support. Additionally, von der Leyen promised a new green industrial plan and a competitiveness fund to support economic decarbonization and innovation within the first hundred days of her new term.
Challenges Ahead for the New Term
Von der Leyen's re-election comes at a turbulent time for the European Union, with external threats from Russia and internal challenges from the rise of the Europhobic extreme right. She has been dubbed the 'president of all crises,' having navigated the EU through the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia's war against Ukraine, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In her speech to the European Parliament, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of investing in the security and defense of Europe and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Her new term will also focus on the expansion of the EU towards the East, including the potential inclusion of Ukraine, and major reforms to strengthen the European project.
