Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as president of the European Union’s executive commission for a second five-year term by lawmakers in the European Parliament on Thursday, giving her a strong majority and preventing a leadership vacuum.
As Parliament President Roberta Metsola gave out the results at the assembly, Von der Leyen raised both fists in victory.
The re-election provides leadership continuity for the 27-nation bloc as it grapples with challenges ranging from the conflict in Ukraine to climate change, migration, and housing scarcity.
Following a speech in which she committed to be a strong leader for Europe in a time of crisis and polarization, the German Christian Democrat received a majority of votes in the 720-seat assembly.
Von der Leyen received 401 of the 707 votes cast.
There were 284 votes opposing her candidacy, 15 abstentions, and 7 void ballots.
The secret ballot came after the extreme right’s strong performance in last month’s European Parliament election.
In a speech aimed at rallying support across the political spectrum, von der Leyen promised to strengthen the EU economy, its police and border agencies, combat migration, and pursue climate change policies, as well as assist farmers who have protested against what they call stifling EU bureaucracy and environmental rules.
Von der Leyen has led the bloc through a number of crises over the last five years, including Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, the COVID-19 epidemic, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She has also pushed for a Green Deal, which aims to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050.
