European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday won a second five-year term that she promised would see the EU bolstering its defence capability, strengthening its industry and tackling a housing crisis.
Von der Leyen received votes from 401 MEPs in the 720-seat chamber backing her — over the 361-vote majority she needed to remain head of the EU’s executive body.
There were 284 lawmakers who voted against in the secret ballot, held during the first parliamentary session since EU-wide elections in June.
The German ex-defence minister, who became the first woman leader of the European Commission in 2019, had presented herself as the best and most experienced captain to steer the commission.
But it has been a rocky path to reach this point. The EU’s 27 leaders fiercely debated her candidacy in June before putting her name forward.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz quickly offered his congratulations on social …