European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was elected to a second term on Thursday, pledging to create a continental “defense union” and stay on track for Europe’s green transition while easing burdens on industry.
Members of the European Parliament backed von der Leyen’s bid for another five-year term at the helm of the EU’s powerful executive body in a secret ballot in the 720-member house with 401 votes in favour and 284 against.
Addressing parliament in Strasbourg earlier in the day, von der Leyen presented a programme focused on prosperity and security, built around the challenges of Russia’s war in Ukraine, global economic competition and climate change.
“The next five years will define Europe’s place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our future ourselves or let it be shaped by events or by others,” von der Leyen said ahead of a secret ballot on her candidacy.
He stressed the need not to back down on the EU’s “Green Deal” transformation of the economy to fight climate change – a key pledge for Green lawmakers, who joined centre-right, centre-left and liberal groups in backing him for the post.
After pledging long-term support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, von der Leyen said Europe’s freedom was at stake and it must invest more in defence.
Former German Defence Minister von der Leyen pledged to create “a true European Defence Union” with major projects on air and cyber defence.
The Kremlin criticized the plan, saying it
This reflected an attitude of “militarisation (and) confrontation”.
Von der Leyen described Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “appeasement mission,” which was widely praised by lawmakers.
Defence policy in Europe has traditionally been the purview of national governments and NATO.
But following Russia’s attack on Ukraine and amid uncertainty over how much Europe will be able to rely on the United States for its security if Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November, the European Commission is trying to pursue more joint European defence projects.
Von der Leyen also promised a range of climate policies, including a legally binding EU target to cut emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels.
He also promised new measures to help European industries remain competitive while investing in curbing emissions.
Green support
The Greens’ decision to join an informal coalition of parties supporting von der Leyen ensured that her margin of victory was quite comfortable. She needed 361 votes to secure a majority in the House.
His own coalition of centre-right, centre-left and liberals has 401 seats, but some of its members were expected to vote against him in the secret ballot.
She may also promise tighter EU border controls and stronger police cooperation against crime.
Von der Leyen’s re-election provides continuity at the EU’s flagship institution at a time of external and internal challenges – including growing support for far-right and eurosceptic political parties across the 27-nation bloc.
In the coming weeks, she will propose her team of commissioners, who will face in-person hearings from lawmakers before a final vote on the entire commission at the end of the year.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
