German conservative politician Ursula von der Leyen has secured a second term as president of the European Commission after winning a secret ballot in the European Parliament with 401 votes in favor. This makes her the first president to be picked twice by the parliament since the election process was changed in 2014. Von der Leyen secured her victory with the support of a centrist coalition consisting of the EPP, S&D, Renew, and the Greens, who have experienced significant losses in previous elections.
One of the central debates within the coalition was whether to isolate or incorporate far-right parties, which have made major gains in the parliament. Von der Leyen faced opposition from far-right groups such as Patriots of Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations, but managed to secure support from the ECR after conducting open dialogue with them.
In her programmatic speech to the parliament, von der Leyen emphasized the need for protection from external security threats, increased economic prosperity, and the expansion of Frontex to control migration flows into Europe. She also announced plans for a new commissioner for the Mediterranean region to oversee partnerships with non-European countries aimed at halting migration.
Overall, von der Leyen’s vision for Europe seems to prioritize its own wealth and privilege over global cooperation and social justice. While she acknowledges the importance of social rights and dialogue, her policies around immigration and security have raised concerns among progressive forces. Despite opposition, von der Leyen’s re-election reflects the sentiments of a significant portion of the European populace.
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