The European Parliament has approved the new European Commission, ushering in Ursula von der Leyen’s second five-year term as president. The vote, held on Wednesday, saw 370 lawmakers in favor, 282 against, and 36 abstentions.
With this decision, the 27-member executive team under von der Leyen’s leadership is set to embark on its new term.
Political analysts have noted a significant shift in the composition of this Commission compared to the previous term. Janis Emmanouilidis, deputy chief executive of the European Policy Centre, observed that the new team reflects increased alignment with von der Leyen’s vision.
Unlike her first term, dissenting voices within the Commission appear to be absent, creating what Emmanouilidis described as an atmosphere of "enhanced presidentialisation." While this could foster continuity during challenging times, he emphasized the importance of preserving a balanced and strong cabinet.
However, not everyone welcomed the approval with open arms. Former Polish lawmaker Jacek Saryusz-Wolski criticized the vote, calling it the lowest approval rating in the European Parliament’s history. On social media, he attributed the outcome to “inter-party bargains,” expressing skepticism about the process behind the approval.
Ahead of the vote, von der Leyen delivered a speech outlining her vision for the next term. She unveiled the “Competitiveness Compass,” a new initiative grounded in three primary goals: closing the innovation gap, pursuing a unified approach to decarbonization and competitiveness, and strengthening security while reducing dependencies.
Von der Leyen highlighted Europe’s challenges in scaling start-ups, acknowledging that while the region matches the United States in creating start-ups, it lags behind in turning them into large-scale businesses. She stressed the need for strategic investments and a sharper focus on fostering innovation to bridge this gap.
On decarbonization, von der Leyen reaffirmed her commitment to the European Green Deal, emphasising that the Commission would remain steadfast in pursuing its environmental objectives.
She also announced plans to introduce a Clean Industrial Deal within the first 100 days of the new term, further underlining her administration’s focus on sustainable growth.
Security and economic resilience were also central themes in von der Leyen’s speech. She emphasised the importance of stable supply chains in ensuring Europe’s economic security and reducing vulnerabilities. This aligns with her broader goal of enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy in a rapidly changing global landscape.
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