Image source, Frederic Florin/AFP
- author, Laura Josie
- Role, BBC News
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament she would focus on defence, security and climate policy if she secured a second term, ahead of a crucial vote in Strasbourg.
“Let us choose strength,” she told parliament, promising to create a “shield of European democracy.”
Ms von der Leyen, who has been commission president since 2019, will need 361 votes in the 720-seat parliament to secure another five years in the job.
Support from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats and the liberal Renewal Party should give her enough votes.
There is no other candidate, but what makes the vote difficult is that it is held in secret – so MEPs can cast their votes without following their party line.
Ms von der Leyen tried to address the concerns of each political group in a wide-ranging speech before the vote, in which she made a series of policy pledges.
Speaking to Green MEPs, she said she wanted the EU to commit to climate targets, and pledged that under her leadership the EU would deliver a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040.
In a nod to her center-right European People’s Party, Merkel said she would launch joint defense projects, including a European air shield. She also appeared to address right-wing concerns by promising to strengthen Europe’s borders by tripling the number of border guards.
There were also references to social rights, affordable housing and the need to end the “bloodshed in Gaza”, which addressed the concerns of many MEPs on the left.
Ms von der Leyen received sustained applause when she condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for his recent visit to Moscow.
“This so-called peace mission was nothing more than an appeasement mission,” she told MEPs, without naming the Hungarian leader.
She concluded her speech by calling on Parliament to vote for her again: “History will keep knocking on Europe’s door, and the need for Europe will be stronger than ever.”
We will know later on Thursday whether the speech succeeded in securing a majority for Ms von der Leyen.
Voting will take place at 13:00 (11:00 GMT), and the results will be announced two hours later.
If Ms von der Leyen cannot get through the European Parliament vote today, the EU will be back to square one, with leaders having to agree on a new candidate who then needs parliament’s approval.
Although several names have been put forward, no clear alternative candidate has yet emerged.
Ms von der Leyen won the post five years ago, when EU leaders nominated her in a last-minute deal after political deadlock over other contenders.
At the time, she was elected by just nine votes above the required majority. Thursday’s vote could end with the same result.
Since her nomination for a second term, Ms von der Leyen has held private meetings with some parliamentary groups in an attempt to secure their votes.
But her attempts have not always been successful. After one such meeting, MEPs from the left-wing bloc said they had decided not to vote for Ms von der Leyen because of her willingness to increase military and defence spending.
She also met with the Green Party and received positive signals – although some MEPs said they would wait to hear Ms von der Leyen’s speech on Thursday before making a final decision.
She is said to have succeeded in persuading some members of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists party to support her, although the Romanian, French and Polish delegations said they would vote against her.
The Italian prime minister, who leads the Alliance for European Reforms, is also said to be delaying a decision on how to guide Italy’s 24 MEPs to vote until after Ms von der Leyen’s speech.
However, according to Italian media, she is leaning towards endorsing Ms von der Leyen in exchange for offering Italy a big job in the next commission – such as the coveted economy or competition portfolio.
Ms Meloni, who heads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, has gained prominence among European right-wingers.
Image source, Getty Images
The third-largest group in parliament, the newly formed Patriots for Europe, has refused to support Ms von der Leyen. The group, formed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, includes the leaders of far-right parties in France, Austria and the Netherlands.
Some obstacles may also arise from within the centrist parties that form the core of Ms von der Leyen’s support base.
Several Irish MEPs have said they will vote against Ms von der Leyen’s candidacy because of her stance on the war in Gaza. Some French MEPs from Ms von der Leyen’s European People’s Party have also said they will not support her.