It went faster than expected: The casting and counting of votes in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 18 July took just over an hour instead of the scheduled two. In the end, the incumbent Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clearly won the election and securing her position as head of the Commission for the next five years. She won 401 of the current total of 719 votes. Von der Leyen received support not only from the previous centrist coalition of Social Democrats (S&D), Liberals (Renew), and Christian Democrats (EPP) but also from the Green Group, who hope she will continue the Green Deal, albeit with a new economic focus. The European People's Party (EPP) is largely responsible for this realignment of the green transformation, now called the ‘Green Clean Tech Deal’. It has by far the most MEPs in the European Parliament. Ursula von der Leyen ran for the party in the parliamentary elections at the beginning of July, and the central points of her guidelines also bear the hallmarks of the EPP's election programme. The two key issues of the economy and competitiveness as well as security and defence are at the heart of her new programme. This is also emphasised by two quotes from her speech, in which von der Leyen promises, to make Europe “home of opportunity and innovation” and to “stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes”.
With the clear confirmation of Commission President von der Leyen, Parliament sent out a signal of European unity and strength. In time of uncertainty, the EU can count on a stable and reliable Commission that focuses on renewing Europe's economic strength without losing sight of the goals of the Green Deal. The next five years will be characterised by greater competitiveness and defence capabilities, but also the ability to act in foreign policy.
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