Von der Leyen elected EU Commission head after MEP vote
- 5 years ago
The European Commission has elected its next president... and for the first time in history,... it's a woman.
For more on this and other news from around the world, let's turn to our Hong Yoo.
A historic day in Brussels Give us the details
Germany's outgoing defense minister Ursula von der Leyen was elected president of the EU Commission by the European Parliament on Tuesday evening, but it was a very tight vote.
Out of the 374 votes she needed to garner from a total of 751 MEPS, 383 votes were cast in her favor, 327 against with 22 abstentions.
Her new role requires her to provide political guidance when drafting EU laws, managing the EU's budget and enforcing EU rules.
"The trust you placed in me is confidence you placed in Europe. Your confidence in a united and a strong Europe, from East to West, from South to North. Your confidence in a Europe that is ready to fight for the future, rather than fighting against each other. Your confidence in a Europe that will take the big challenges of our time together. The task ahead of us humbles me."
Beginning her five-year term in November, when she takes over from Jean-Claude Junker, she will have to face challenges such as climate change, migration, and internal division.
Also, because Von der Leyen had such a narrow margin of victory, she may have problems passing legislation through the parliament.
For more on this and other news from around the world, let's turn to our Hong Yoo.
A historic day in Brussels Give us the details
Germany's outgoing defense minister Ursula von der Leyen was elected president of the EU Commission by the European Parliament on Tuesday evening, but it was a very tight vote.
Out of the 374 votes she needed to garner from a total of 751 MEPS, 383 votes were cast in her favor, 327 against with 22 abstentions.
Her new role requires her to provide political guidance when drafting EU laws, managing the EU's budget and enforcing EU rules.
"The trust you placed in me is confidence you placed in Europe. Your confidence in a united and a strong Europe, from East to West, from South to North. Your confidence in a Europe that is ready to fight for the future, rather than fighting against each other. Your confidence in a Europe that will take the big challenges of our time together. The task ahead of us humbles me."
Beginning her five-year term in November, when she takes over from Jean-Claude Junker, she will have to face challenges such as climate change, migration, and internal division.
Also, because Von der Leyen had such a narrow margin of victory, she may have problems passing legislation through the parliament.