JAKARTA - Incumbent Ursula von der Leyen won her second term as President of the European Commission on Thursday after pledging to create a continental "defense unit" and to stick to Europe's green transition line while easing its burden on the industry.
Members of the European Parliament support von der Leyen for a second five-year term at the helm of the strong EU executive body with 401 votes to support him and 284 votes against the secret vote in the 720-member assembly.
In a speech in the previous Parliament, von der Leyen (65) described a program focused on prosperity and security, formed by Russian war challenges in Ukraine, global economic competition, and climate change.
"The next five years will determine the position of Europe in the world over the next five decades. This will determine whether we form our own future or allow it to be formed by various events or other people," von der Leyen said ahead of the vote.
He stressed the need not to pull back the transformation of the EU's economic "Green Agreement" to fight climate change - a key promise for members of the Green Party parliament, which joins the core coalition of right-right, center-left and liberal groups in supporting it.
After pledging to support Ukraine as long as necessary in its fight against Russia, von der Leyen said European freedom was at stake and had to invest more in defense.
5 more years.I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for the trust of all MEPs that voted for me. pic.twitter.com/d9n3yfIVtS
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 18, 2024
5 more years.I can't start to express how grateful I am for the trust of all MEPs that vote for me. pic.twitter.com/d9n3yfIVtS
The decision of the Green Party to join the informal alliance of parties supporting von der Leyen ensures that the margin of victory is quite convincing. He needed 361 votes to secure the majority in the assembly.
The core coalition has 401 seats, but some of its members are expected to vote against it in a secret vote.
When asked after a vote on the possibility of facing a protected and isolated US government under Donald Trump if he is elected next November, von der Leyen said the EU is trying to "reduce our dependence" regardless of elections elsewhere.
"We will work closely with our friends and allies, it is very clear," he told reporters.
"But that also includes that we are building our own strength," he said.
Previously, von der Leyen promised to create a "real European Defense Unit", with flagship projects in the field of air and cyber defense.
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The plan sparked criticism from the Kremlin, which said the plan reflected a "militaryization (and) confrontation" attitude.
It is known that the defense policy in Europe is traditionally the domain of the national government and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
Von der Leyen also promised tighter EU border controls and stronger police cooperation in fighting crime.
However, that was not enough to secure support from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party, who said he had voted against him.
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