This will be Von der Leyen’s second term. She was first elected five years ago, then with a narrow majority of the three coalition parties (EPP, S&D, Renew), including support from some Conservatives. At that time, the Greens abstained, but this time — including the pro-European Volt — they publicly and deliberately voted in favor of her reappointment.
Because of the Greens’ open collective support, there is no longer a three-party coalition in Brussels and Strasbourg but a four-party platform.
In a passionate speech prior to the vote, Von der Leyen presented her political priorities for the coming five years. She announced that she wants the new European Commission to be composed of half women and that there will be a new Commissioner for Defence. She also stated that 'stagnation is regression' and called for an economically and financially strong Europe. However, the European Union will need to govern more with guiding policies and less with numerous detailed rules.
The heads of government of the 27 EU countries will come forward in the coming months with candidates for the new Commission. It will become clear which country receives which portfolio and which political party affiliation these candidates have. In these consultations with the heads of government, she will have to ensure in the coming months that EU countries do not try to impose their own national agendas 'with their own candidates.'
To gather support among EU politicians beforehand, Von der Leyen last week visited not only the factions of EPP, S&D, and Renew but also the Greens’ faction meeting. Already in the debate, the two co-chairs Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout made clear that the Greens felt they had received sufficient commitments from Von der Leyen.
For instance, she has publicly distanced herself from cooperation with anti-European far-right and conservative parties, including Italian Prime Minister Meloni, and advocates upholding the Climate and Environmental policies of the Green Deal, including in agriculture. She also took a very clear stand against the anti-European tone of many nationalist and right-wing political groups in the European Parliament.
The elected President of the Commission will now send official letters to the heads of state and government of the member states, inviting them to submit their candidates for the posts of European Commissioner. After the summer, the Parliament will then organize hearings with the candidates. The full College of Commissioners must subsequently be approved by the Parliament in the autumn.