In a decisive vote held on 18 July, the European Parliament re-elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission with 401 votes in favor. This marks the beginning of her second term, following her initial election by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in July 2019.
With the Parliament currently comprising 719 MEPs, the required majority for the election was 360 votes. The secret paper ballot saw 284 votes against her re-election, and 22 MEPs casting blank or invalid votes.
In a debate with MEPs prior to the vote, von der Leyen outlined her political priorities for the forthcoming five years. Reflecting on the significance of her re-election, von der Leyen remarked, “I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me by the European Parliament. Together, we will continue to work for a stronger and more united Europe.”
Next Steps for the Commission
Following her re-election, President von der Leyen will now move to the next phase: inviting member state heads of state or government to propose candidates for the European Commissioner posts. The European Parliament will then hold nominee hearings within the relevant committees after the summer break. The complete college of Commissioners will require the endorsement of the Parliament to officially take office.
This process is mandated by Article 14 of the Treaty of the European Union, which stipulates that the European Parliament “shall elect the President of the Commission.”
Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership since 2019 has been characterized by significant initiatives, including the European Green Deal and digital transformation agendas. Her re-election affirms the Parliament’s confidence in her vision and leadership for Europe’s future.
The European political landscape remains dynamic, and von der Leyen’s continued presidency promises stability and continuity in addressing the continent’s challenges and ambitions. As she prepares to assemble her new team, the European community looks ahead to the next chapter of collaborative progress under her guidance.
