Ursula von der Leyen elected to second term as European Commission president
In an earlier pitch to the European parliament in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen on Thursday pledged to invest in infrastructure and industry, create a new “European Defense Union” and stay the course on the continent’s green transition.
After a secret ballot, von der Leyen was reelected with 401 votes in favor and 284 against. She needed more than 360 ballots to secure a majority in the 720-seat parliament.
Von der Leyen, who led the commission through the Covid-19 pandemic and the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, will now preside over a bloc that shifted rightward after last month’s European elections, when far-right parties won a record number of seats.
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Despite her victory, von der Leyen's plans for a stronger European Defense Union and investments in the world's sustainable technologies may face challenges due to the shift in the European Parliament towards more conservative views. The European Union, as a significant player in the world, continues to play a vital role in global affairs and cooperation.
