On 18 July, Ursula Von der Leyen was reelected for a second term as the European Commission chief by the European Parliament, receiving 401 votes in favour. This election resulted from a coalition between the EPP, the Socialists and Democrats, the Liberals, and the Greens. The hard-right Conservatives of the ECR voted against her reelection.
The European Parliament comprises 719 MEPs, so the required majority was 360 votes. The vote was conducted through a secret paper ballot, with 401 MEPs voting in favour, 284 against, and 22 casting blank or invalid ballots. The EPP, the Socialists and Democrats, the Liberals, and the Greens formed a strong alliance and voted in favour of Ursula Von der Leyen’s reelection. The socialists, liberals, and greens emphasised the importance of continuing the Green Deal, addressing inequalities, and keeping the far-right out of deals.
EPP: A victory for democracy and a united Europe
EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber considered Ursula von der Leyen’s election as President of the European Commission to be a victory for democracy and a united Europe.
“Europeans want a democratic Europe, not a radical one. With the election of Ursula von der Leyen, we are strengthening a democratic Europe,” said Weber.
“Today’s vote was also a vote for clear priorities: prosperity, security, and stopping migration. The next Commission will embody the EPP spirit,” Weber stressed.
S&Ds: End inequalities and guarantee equal opportunities
Iratxe García addressed Ursula von der Leyen in the EP plenary in Strasbourg. García asked for a strong and real commitment to the Green Deal and just transition, a solid European social dimension and progress in equality and women’s rights.
“Our support is conditional on the obligation to offer a project for Europe that ends inequalities and guarantees equal opportunities. Social democrats demand a greater commitment to the Green Deal and a just transition. Our Union must be placed at the forefront of the fight against climate change, and Europe should become the first continent to achieve climate neutrality by 2050,” said García.
“A Union that exports its model of peace that will confiscate the €200 billion of Russian public assets frozen to defend Ukraine, and that will lead to an international peace conference to bring about the birth of a Palestinian state,” added García.
“And above all, an unwavering commitment not to cooperate with the extreme right,” the S&D leader emphasised.
Renew Group: Legislative priorities on security and defence
The political programme outlined by the new President of the Commission, the liberals say in a statement, largely reflects Renew Europe’s legislative priorities on security and defence, a more competitive Europe, non-regression on the Green Deal and measures to protect democracy and better defend against attacks on the Rule of Law in Europe.
“We are pleased that Mrs von der Leyen has committed to reform, including a right of initiative for the European Parliament, the need for Treaty Change and progress on accession for candidate countries, including Ukraine and Moldova,” the statement pointed out.
“Pro-European forces will be key to keep Europe on track. Flirtation with the far-right and the far-left is the road to failure”, the Liberals emphasised.
“The von der Leyen II Commission carries the Renew Europe hallmark. Liberals and centrists have secured strong wins for a stronger European defence based on the need for increased competitiveness and the defence of our values. We will be forensic in insisting that the commitments given by Mrs von der Leyen are delivered. This is the time for bold action and hope. Renew Europe will always be a demanding partner, but a reliable one,” commented Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe.
Greens: Continue the Green Deal and build a socially just EU
The Greens/EFA Group has secured commitments from the new President to continue the Green Deal, protect democracy and build a more socially just Europe. This vote confirms a four-group Democratic majority in the House and prevents the far-right from driving the agenda of the EU over the next five years, said the Greens.
“We would like to thank Ursula von der Leyen for her fair and trustworthy negotiations over recent weeks. The four-group majority holds firm and is vital for defending our democracy against the far-right. We want to build on this majority to deliver for citizens,” commented Terry Reintke, President of the Greens/EFA Group.
“We welcome the commitments she has taken to build on the success of the Green Deal, to develop a climate-neutral industrial policy and boost just transition funding. During these negotiations, we have secured priorities for our group that we believe Europe urgently needs to become more socially just, such as an EU affordable housing plan and an EU-anti-poverty plan, and action to protect democracy and the rule of law,” added Reintke.
“The majority against the far-right must hold for the future. We must not let our guard down in the face of growing far-right forces that work to strip away our rights and destroy our democracy. All democratic groups in the European Parliament must take their shared responsibility to unite to stand up to the far-right. The far-right represents the interests of autocrats like the Russian President and can never be a reliable partner,” emphasised Bas Eickhout, President of the Greens/EFA Group.
There was a free vote in the ECR Group, but many members voted against
In a special meeting of the ECR Group following the debate on the political guidelines of the candidate for the post of Commission President, a large majority of national delegations confirmed that they would vote against Ursula von der Leyen. As was the case in the last election of the Commission President, there will be a free vote in the ECR Group.
The Commission President-elect will now send official letters to member state heads of state or government inviting them to put forward their candidates for European Commissioner posts. After the summer, Parliament will organise nominee hearings in the relevant committees. The full College of Commissioners then needs to be endorsed by Parliament.
