STRASBOURG: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen secured a second term on Thursday, supported by a pledge to establish a pan-European “defense union” and maintain momentum on Europe’s green transition while lessening its impact on industry.
Members of the European Parliament endorsed von der Leyen’s reelection bid with 401 votes in favor and 284 against in a secret ballot among the 720-member chamber.
In her address to the Parliament in Strasbourg earlier that day, von der Leyen outlined her agenda focused on prosperity and security, shaped by challenges such as Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, global economic competition, and climate change.
“The next five years will define Europe’s role in the world for decades to come. It will determine whether we shape our own future or have it dictated by events or others,” von der Leyen stated before the secret vote.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining the EU’s “Green Deal” transformation to combat climate change, a crucial commitment for Green lawmakers who joined center-right, center-left, and liberal groups in supporting her candidacy.
In addition to reaffirming support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia, von der Leyen emphasized the need for increased investment in defense, declaring Europe’s liberty was at stake. She proposed the creation of a comprehensive “European Defense Union,” including flagship projects in air and cyber defense.
The proposal drew criticism from the Kremlin, which characterized it as indicative of “militarization and confrontation.”
Von der Leyen condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin as an “appeasement mission,” earning widespread applause from lawmakers.
While defense policy traditionally falls under the purview of national governments and NATO, the European Commission is seeking to advance joint European defense projects amid uncertainty over future US support, particularly if Donald Trump is re-elected in November.
Von der Leyen also committed to a series of climate policies, including a legally-binding EU target to reduce emissions by 90 percent from 1990 levels by 2040. She pledged new measures to assist European industries in remaining competitive while investing in emissions reduction.
Her re-election ensures continuity in the European Union’s principal institution amid external challenges and growing support for far-right and euroskeptic parties across the bloc.
In the coming weeks, von der Leyen will nominate her team of commissioners, who will undergo individual hearings by lawmakers before a final vote on the entire Commission later this year.
