European Parliament backs von der Leyen for second term as EC President

The European Parliament voted to support Ursula von der Leyen for another term as the President of the European Commission.

"The European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as the President of the European Commission. She will have another five years to lead the legislation at the helm of the EU's main executive body," reads a post by the European Parliament on X.

In the vote, 401 MEPs were in favour, 284 were against, and 16 abstained. A total of 701 MEPs voted. The required absolute majority needed to confirm the German candidate was 360 MEPs.

Von der Leyen received a better result in 2024 than in 2019 when she was first elected as the head of the European Commission. She received only a narrow majority then, with nine votes more than necessary.

On Thursday morning, von der Leyen presented her vision for a stronger Europe in the European Parliament. Key initiatives include a new industrial plan aimed at accelerating the achievement of emission neutrality and industrial growth and the European Competitiveness Fund to stimulate innovation. She also proposed the European Democracy Shield to counter foreign manipulation and interference and the European Housing Plan.

Von der Leyen had to worry about her re-election, although the conservative European People's Party, the Social Democrats, and part of the Liberals had already agreed to her reappointment.

The 65-year-old does not have the full support of her European People's Party (EPP); for example, the French Republicans spoke against her.

In the secret vote, there were likely dissenters among the Social Democrats and the Liberal Renewal Group.

However, the Germans could count on numerous votes from the Greens. Von der Leyen was also supported by some European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) members.