Ursula von der Leyen has successfully secured a second term as President of the European Commission following a secret ballot among Members of the European Parliament. Needing at least 361 votes to continue her leadership, she managed to gather 401 votes across the diverse political landscape of the EU.

In her campaign for re-election, von der Leyen emphasized her commitment to enhancing the EU’s economic competitiveness and maintaining unwavering support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict. Her successful re-election bid was marked by a poignant speech to the MEPs, where she outlined her strategic priorities and reassured her dedication to strengthening the EU’s stance on global and domestic challenges.

The affirmative vote in the European Parliament came after an uncertain period of negotiations and it means von der Leyen will continue to helm the Commission, averting the need for EU leaders to seek an alternative candidate. Her victory ensures continuity in the Commission’s approach to key policy areas, including economic reform and international diplomacy.

What Can We Expect from VDL’s Second Mandate?

Earlier today, during her hour-long address, von der Leyen focused on enhancing the EU’s competitiveness, the single market, and industrial policy but notably omitted direct references to trade policy. She outlined a robust Economic Security Strategy aimed at protecting EU proprietary technologies against external threats, particularly from nations like China and Russia, and proposed reforms to the World Trade Organization and trade defense measures. She declared her commitment to “deter China” from launching an invasion against Taiwan.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region in her manifesto titled “Europe’s Choice,” von der Leyen articulated a clear diplomatic stance. “We plan to engage closely with Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Australia as we confront shared challenges. This includes our unified efforts to prevent any military attempts by China to unilaterally change the status quo, especially concerning Taiwan,” she affirmed, making her position more explicit than ever before.

She concluded her campaign by emphasizing the critical role of strong European leadership in facing global challenges. “In these times of deep anxiety, strong Europe is more necessary than ever. I am asking for your confidence today to continue our work together,” von der Leyen stated, seeking to rally support for a stable and proactive EU leadership. Von der Leyen’s re-election campaign also addressed concerns regarding European unity and its stance on global conflicts. Criticizing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his conciliatory approach towards Russia, she accused him of undermining European solidarity. Her comments resonated with European Parliament members, reflecting the deep divisions within the EU on handling relations with Russia.

Von der Leyen also mentioned U.S. intelligence predictions of a possible conflict erupting by 2027, which could coincide with what would be her second term. The four nations she pledged to collaborate with are also designated as NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners, reinforcing the geopolitical importance of these alliances. In her campaign documents, von der Leyen pointed to alarming increases in military spending by China, highlighting a near 600 percent increase compared to Europe’s 20 percent rise over the same period, underscoring the growing military disparity.

“In these times of deep anxiety, strong Europe is more necessary than ever. I am asking for your confidence today to continue our work together.”

In her campaign to secure another term, von der Leyen outlined a comprehensive policy agenda to garner support from various political groups within the European Parliament, presenting herself as a beacon of stability in a time marked by global uncertainty and polarization. Her nearly hour-long speech, accompanied by newly published political guidelines, promised the creation of new commissioner roles focused on defense, housing, fisheries, and Mediterranean affairs. She also pledged to prioritize competitiveness, shifting slightly from her previous focus heavily centered on climate issues during her first term. Reaffirming her commitment to environmental goals, von der Leyen proposed an ambitious 2040 climate target and plans to advance the European Union’s capabilities in clean technology manufacturing. She introduced the “European Competitiveness Fund,” aimed at directing investments across diverse sectors from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, emphasizing the need for a robust European capital markets union to enhance financial integration within the bloc.

Von der Leyen concluded her speech with a spirited declaration of “Long live Europe!“—a statement that resonated well with the Members of the European Parliament, despite the complexity of representing diverse countries within the EU.

Featured image source: Frederick Florin/AFP