New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Ursula von der Leyen on her election as President of the European Union's Executive Commission and said he looks forward to working closely with her to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the European Commission for global good.
Lawmakers of the European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen as the president of the EU's executive Commission for a second term of five years. She belongs to the European People's Party (EPP). The EPP Group is the largest and oldest group in the European Parliament. Leyen became the first female president of the Commission in 2019.
In a post on the social media platform 'X', Prime Minister Modi said, “Congratulations to Ursula von der Leyen on being re-elected as the President of the Executive Commission of the European Union. Looking forward to working together to strengthen the strategic partnership of India and the European Commission for global good.” In the election, von der Leyen got 401 votes out of a total of 707 votes. 284 votes were cast against her candidature, 15 members did not participate in the voting and seven votes were rejected.
Defeat of Giorgia Meloni
Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Kaja Kallas were nominated for key EU positions at the summit, despite opposition from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban. Ursula was pitted against Giorgia Meloni for the presidency.
There was a dispute with Meloni
Giorgia Meloni contested the European Parliament elections on the issue that Italy decides the direction of Europe. Meloni is upset that she was not consulted during the discussions and bargaining before the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as the President of the European Commission. Rather, all this was decided by those leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz etc. whose parties' seats have decreased in the European Union elections.
Ms von der Leyen raised both fists in a sign of victory when Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola read out the results in the legislature.
"5 more years. I cannot express how grateful I am for the trust of all the Members of the European Parliament who voted for me," he said on social media platform X.
The re-election ensures continuity in the leadership of the 27-nation bloc as it tackles crises from the war in Ukraine to climate change, migration and housing shortages.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz left no stone unturned in congratulating Ms von der Leyen on her re-election "A clear sign of our ability to work in the EU, especially in difficult times. Europeans expect us to take Europe forward. Let us do it!"
A majority in the 720-seat legislature voted in favour of the German Christian Democrat after he pledged in his speech to be a strong leader for Europe in a time of crisis and polarisation.
Ms von der Leyen received 401 of the 707 votes cast. There were 284 votes against her candidacy, 15 abstentions and seven votes rejected.
This secret ballot takes place shortly after the far-right made a strong gain in last month's European Parliament elections.
In her final speech, Ms von der Leyen said, "I will never allow the extreme polarisation of our societies to become acceptable. I will never allow populists and extremists to destroy our European way of life. And I am ready to lead the fight with all the democratic forces in this House today."
Had lawmakers rejected his candidacy, the leaders of the 27-nation bloc would have struggled to choose someone to replace him as Europe grapples with crises ranging from the war in Ukraine to climate change. Instead, the continent now has a pair of experienced hands.
In a speech aimed at winning support from across the political spectrum, Ms von der Leyen pledged to strengthen the EU economy, its police and border agencies, tackle migration and pursue policies to tackle climate change, while also vowing to help farmers who have protested against EU bureaucracy and environmental regulations.
