The Facts

• Following intense questioning by the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen was successfully re-elected as president of the European Commission in a decisive vote on Thursday.

• The European Parliament elected Ms. van der Leyen with a strong majority of 401 votes, ensuring stability and continuity for the 27-member bloc. There were 284 votes opposing, 15 abstentions, and seven votes that were invalid.

• Following the far right's significant gains in the European Parliament election in June, her reelection was far from guaranteed. Analysts viewed the secret ballot as a significant threat. However, she passed with a larger margin this time than she did in 2019.