European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks for another five years before decisive vote

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.