TOI World Desk
European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen won support from EU lawmakers on Thursday for another five-year term as president of the European Commission, the EU’s powerful executive body.
The 720-member European Parliament approved her with 401 votes in favour, 284 against and 15 abstentions. She needed 361 votes to pass.
During the last half-decade, von der Leyen has steered the European Union through numerous challenges, such as the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU, the global pandemic caused by Covid-19, and the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine.Additionally, she has advocated for a green deal with the objective of making the EU climate neutral by 2050.
Von der Leyen’s selection coincided with the arrival of the recently elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, who was hosting approximately 45 heads of government to address issues related to migration, energy security, and the potential danger posed by Russia. Starmer’s goal is to mend the relationships between the UK and its European counterparts.
At a summit meeting held in the previous month, the leaders endorsed the conservative German politician von der Leyen. The 65-year-old’s candidacy received a boost when the European People’s Party, which includes von der Leyen’s Christian Democratic Union, maintained its position as the largest group in the EU Parliament following the elections.
“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 said ahead of a secret ballot on her candidacy.
The 720-member European Parliament approved her with 401 votes in favour, 284 against and 15 abstentions. She needed 361 votes to pass.
During the last half-decade, von der Leyen has steered the European Union through numerous challenges, such as the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU, the global pandemic caused by Covid-19, and the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine.Additionally, she has advocated for a green deal with the objective of making the EU climate neutral by 2050.
Von der Leyen’s selection coincided with the arrival of the recently elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, who was hosting approximately 45 heads of government to address issues related to migration, energy security, and the potential danger posed by Russia. Starmer’s goal is to mend the relationships between the UK and its European counterparts.
At a summit meeting held in the previous month, the leaders endorsed the conservative German politician von der Leyen. The 65-year-old’s candidacy received a boost when the European People’s Party, which includes von der Leyen’s Christian Democratic Union, maintained its position as the largest group in the EU Parliament following the elections.
“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 said ahead of a secret ballot on her candidacy.