Ursula von der Leyen, who has been the President of European Commission since 2019, is facing a crucial vote by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to determine whether she will be granted a second term as the European Commission president. The vote is set to take place at the European Parliament in Brussels at 13:00 (11:00 GMT), and the outcome remains uncertain despite her recent efforts to gather support.
European leaders nominated Ms. von der Leyen at a summit in Brussels in June, despite opposition from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who abstained from the vote. Ms. von der Leyen needs 361 votes to secure a second term, and support from her own center-right European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists & Democrats, and the liberal Renew parties should provide her with enough votes. However, the secret nature of the vote allows MEPs to cast their ballots based on personal inclinations rather than party lines, adding a layer of unpredictability to the outcome.
Some Irish MEPs have expressed opposition to Ms. von der Leyen’s nomination due to her stance on the war in Gaza, while certain French MEPs within her own EPP grouping have also indicated they will not support her. To secure votes, Ms. von der Leyen has engaged in private meetings with various parliamentary groupings, with mixed success. Despite facing opposition from some MEPs over her defense spending policies, she has managed to garner support from certain factions.
The Italian Prime Minister, a key figure within the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) grouping, is reportedly considering endorsing Ms. von der Leyen in exchange for a senior job in the next Commission. However, the newly formed Patriots for Europe group, led by Hungary’s Viktor Orban, has refused to back Ms. von der Leyen, further complicating the situation.
If Ms. von der Leyen fails to secure enough votes in the European Parliament, EU leaders will need to nominate a new candidate for approval. While potential alternatives have been suggested, no clear frontrunner has emerged at this time. Ms. von der Leyen’s initial appointment to the role five years ago was the result of a last-minute deal by EU leaders, and she won by a slim margin. The upcoming vote is poised to be equally tight, with the fate of her second term hanging in the balance.