Following a debate with Ursula von der Leyen regarding her new team and programme, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected the College of Commissioners through a roll-call vote. 370 MEPs voted in favour, 282 against, and 36 abstained. The College of Commissioners required a majority of the votes cast (as per rule 129.7 of the EP Rules of Procedure) to be confirmed. This marks Ursula von der Leyen’s second term as Commission President, following the approval of her first Commission by MEPs in November 2019.
Before the vote, Ursula von der Leyen presented the members of the new Commission and her programme, confirming the portfolio changes requested by MEPs during the Parliament’s evaluation process.
“We are ready to get to work immediately,” she stated, emphasising that her Commission will prioritise fighting for freedom, sovereignty, security, and prosperity.
Ms. von der Leyen announced that the Commission’s first initiative will be a competitiveness compass to close Europe’s innovation gap with the US and China, increase security and independence, and achieve decarbonisation.
Regarding the European Green Deal, she asserted, “We must, and we will, stay the course on its goals.” She committed to presenting a clean industrial deal, initiating a strategic dialogue on the future of Europe’s car industry, continuing efforts toward a competitive circular economy, and working toward a European savings and investment union.
On the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, Ms. von der Leyen stated that “Europe must play a stronger role in all of these areas,” emphasising that this is “needed more than ever.” Strengthening security is crucial, she added, calling on Europe to increase defence spending. “Europe’s security will always be this Commission’s priority,” she concluded.
In the subsequent debate, some MEPs highlighted the urgency for the new Commission to promptly address the challenges facing Europe. They urged the Commission to improve European competitiveness in light of growing global competition, implement the European Green Deal, ensure energy independence, and establish a defence union in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Others expressed their disapproval of the new College of Commissioners. Recordings and excerpts from the debate are available on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.
The new European Commission is expected to begin its duties on December 1, 2024, after being formally appointed by the European Council with a qualified majority.
