Ursula von der Leyen secures second term as EU Commission chief

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

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

Von der Leyen achieved a better result in 2024 than in 2019 when she was first elected President of the European Commission. At that time, she won by only a small majority, with just nine votes more than necessary.

On Thursday morning, von der Leyen presented her vision of a stronger Europe to the EP. Key initiatives include a new industrial plan to accelerate achieving carbon neutrality and industrial growth, and a European Competitiveness Fund to boost innovation. She also proposed a European Democracy Shield to counter foreign manipulation and interference, and a European Housing Plan.

Von der Leyen had to worry about her re-election, although conservative groups from the European People's Party, social democrats, and some 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, French Republicans spoke out against her.

In the secret vote, there were likely also dissidents among the Social Democrats and the Liberal Renew Group.

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