European Parliament approves new commission with Von Der Leyen at the helm
The European Parliament has approved the composition of the new European Commission. 370 members voted in favour of its appointment in the proposed composition, 282 were against, and 36 abstained. The EC composition includes Piotr Serafin, who will oversee the EU budget.
Wednesday’s vote concludes the process of forming the new European Commission in the EP, whose composition was renewed following the European elections in June.
The next step requires the new European Commission to be accepted by the European Council, which consists of the heads of state and government. A qualified majority is needed, meaning 15 countries must vote in favour—this is expected to be a formality.
The new European Commission is anticipated to start its work on December 1.
Ursula von der Leyen will once again head the European Commission. The heads of state and governments of EU member countries nominated her for a second term, and the European Parliament decided on her election in a secret ballot in July this year.
Member states proposed candidates for commissioners. Based on the suggested names, the head of the European Commission—after being approved by the EP—composed the new commission’s lineup.
All candidates appeared before the European Parliament committees in the first half of November to demonstrate their knowledge of the areas they were to oversee.
