The European Union is at a crucial juncture in navigating the political challenges, the green energy transition and the economic realities of the Green Deal.
Ursula von der Leyen's candidacy for a second term as President of the European Commission did not generate much enthusiasm, and the rising Eurosceptic and nationalist parties launched fierce attacks on her. The Social Democrats and the Liberals were also less enthusiastic, accusing her of breaking with the democratic consensus and “opening the door to the far right”. In fact, von der Leyen has made no secret of her willingness to cooperate with European conservative and reformist parties, including Prime Minister Georgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party.
And yet in a secret ballot vote on 18 July, MEPs backed von der Leyen's nomination by 41 more votes than the 360 needed majority. When von der Leyen first ran for European Commission president five years ago, she won the position by just nine votes. How can this be explained?
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