STRASBOURG. Ursula von der Leyen has secured a second term as President of the European Commission after committing to establish a “defense union” and maintain Europe’s green transition while easing its impact on industry.
Members of the European Parliament voted in favor of von der Leyen’s re-election, with 401 votes for and 284 against, in a secret ballot held in the 720-member chamber.
In her address to the Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen, 65, outlined a program centered on prosperity and security, influenced by the challenges posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine, global economic competition, and climate change.
“The next five years will define Europe’s place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others,” von der Leyen stated before the vote.
She emphasized the importance of adhering to the “Green Deal” transformation of the EU economy to combat climate change, a crucial promise for Green lawmakers who joined her coalition of center-right, center-left, and liberal groups in supporting her.
After promising to support Ukraine indefinitely in its conflict with Russia, von der Leyen stressed that Europe’s freedom was at risk and that increased investment in defense was necessary.
When asked about the potential impact of a protectionist and isolationist U.S. administration under Donald Trump, von der Leyen said the EU was focused on “reducing our dependencies” regardless of external elections. “We will work closely with our friends and allies, that is absolutely clear,” she told reporters. “But that does also include that we are building our own strength.”
Defence and Climate Commitments
Von der Leyen, a former German defense minister, committed to creating “a true European Defence Union” with key projects in air and cyber defense. This proposal drew criticism from the Kremlin, which described it as indicative of “militarisation (and) confrontation.”
In her speech, she also criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, calling it an “appeasement mission” and receiving broad applause from lawmakers.
Traditionally, defense policy has been managed by national governments and NATO. However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and uncertainties regarding U.S. protection should Trump be re-elected, the European Commission aims to promote more joint European defense initiatives.
Von der Leyen also committed to ambitious climate policies, including a legally binding EU target to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. She promised new measures to help European industries remain competitive while reducing emissions.
Securing Support
The support of the Greens was pivotal in von der Leyen’s comfortable victory. She needed 361 votes to secure a majority, and her core coalition provided 401 seats. Despite expectations that some coalition members might vote against her in the secret ballot, her re-election was assured.
She also pledged stricter EU border controls and enhanced police cooperation against crime. However, these measures did not win the backing of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party, which voted against her.
Von der Leyen’s re-election ensures continuity within the EU’s key institution during a period of external and internal challenges, including rising support for far-right and eurosceptic parties within the 27-nation bloc.
In the coming weeks, von der Leyen will propose her team of commissioners, who will face individual hearings from lawmakers before a final vote on the entire Commission later this year.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
