Von der Leyen Re-elected as EU Commission President

On July 18, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected Ursula von der Leyen to a second five-year term as President of the European Union’s executive commission. Von der Leyen secured a comfortable majority, preventing a potential leadership vacuum.

Victory Celebration

Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the result, to which von der Leyen responded with raised fists in victory. She described her re-election as a triumph for “pro-European, pro-Ukraine, and pro-rule of law” lawmakers.

Significance of Re-election

The re-election ensures leadership continuity for the 27-nation bloc as it deals with various crises, including the war in Ukraine, climate change, migration, and housing shortages. Von der Leyen emphasized working for a strong Europe focused on prosperity, security, defense, and democracy.

Support from Green Alliance

The Greens/European Free Alliance group supported von der Leyen after she committed to climate initiatives, improving social policies, affordable housing, and not making deals with the far right. The group’s president, Bas Eickhout, highlighted the importance of opposing far-right forces that threaten democracy.

Majority Support

A clear majority of 401 lawmakers in the 720-seat legislature voted for von der Leyen. In her speech, she pledged to strengthen the EU economy, police, border agencies, tackle migration, and address climate change while supporting farmers.

Opposition and Criticism

Italy’s far-right Premier Giorgia Meloni’s party voted against von der Leyen, disagreeing with the process of her re-election. Despite this, Meloni affirmed that cooperation with the Commission remains intact. The re-election followed strong gains by the far right in the recent European Parliament elections.

Policy Commitments

Von der Leyen vowed to tackle housing shortages across Europe and promised to appoint a commissioner for the Mediterranean region. She reaffirmed her commitment to defending the European way of life against extremists and demagogues.

Response to Orbán’s Actions

Von der Leyen criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Russia, labeling it an appeasement mission, and pledged continued support for Ukraine.

Leadership Amid Crises

Over the past five years, von der Leyen has led the EU through Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She has championed the Green Deal to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050.

Reaction from the UK

Newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated von der Leyen and expressed eagerness to reset UK-EU relations.

EU Leadership Appointments

EU leaders approved von der Leyen’s candidacy at a recent summit. The European People’s Party, the largest group in the EU Parliament, backed her bid. Antonio Costa of Portugal and Estonia’s Kaja Kallas were also nominated for key EU positions, with Kallas needing parliamentary approval.

COVID-19 Vaccine Negotiations

Von der Leyen received praise for her role during the COVID-19 crisis but faced criticism for the lack of transparency in vaccine purchase negotiations. The EU general court recently ruled that the commission did not provide enough public access to information about these agreements.