Ursula von der Leyen reelected to a second 5-year term as European Commission president

Associated Press

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Lawmakers at the European Parliament have reelected Ursula von der Leyen to a second 5-year term as president of the European Union’s executive commission. The reelection ensures leadership continuity for the 27-nation bloc as it wrestles with crises ranging from the war in Ukraine to climate change, migration and housing shortages. A majority in the 720-seat legislature voted for the German Christian Democrat after a speech in which she pledged to be a strong leader for Europe in a time of crisis and polarization. The secret ballot came hot on the heels of strong gains by the far right in last month’s election for the European Parliament. Von der Leyen said she “will never let the extreme polarization of our societies become accepted.”