Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as President of the European Commission for a second five-year term, securing 401 votes in the 720-seat European Parliament. The German politician, known for her globalist stance, will continue to lead the European Commission, emphasizing the European Green New Deal and Ukraine's potential EU membership.
In her victory speech, von der Leyen criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's recent trip to Moscow, labeling it an “appeasement mission,” and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Despite gains by conservatives and populists in the recent European Parliament elections, von der Leyen's European People’s Party (EPP) remains the largest group with 188 seats, followed by the Socialists & Democrats with 136. The new parliament has seen a significant shift to the right, with the Patriots for Europe alliance, led by Viktor Orbán and Marine Le Pen, becoming the third-largest group with 84 seats.
Right-wing factions, including the Europe of Sovereign Nations led by Germany's AfD and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) led by Italy's Giorgia Meloni, have also secured substantial representation.
Initially, there were talks of von der Leyen allying with Meloni's group to secure her re-election, but these plans were dropped after opposition from greens, liberals, and socialists. While Meloni's ECR group did not formally endorse von der Leyen, they were allowed to vote freely.
Jordan Bardella, leader of the Patriots of Europe group, criticized the centrists and conservatives for supporting von der Leyen, stating that his faction will oppose the Green Deal, the migration pact, and what he sees as the dissolution of national sovereignty.
Following support from the unelected European Council for von der Leyen's second term, Viktor Orbán expressed concern, suggesting that EU top officials should represent all member states, not just leftist and liberal interests. Von der Leyen, who faced criticism for her tenure as German defense secretary, has since gained prominence on the global stage, frequently appearing at forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos.
