The European Parliament has approved a new European Commission team, set to take office in December, amidst global economic and geopolitical challenges. Ursula von der Leyen stressed the need for enhanced competitiveness and increased defense spending, particularly in response to Russian military expenditures. The approval faced controversy over the vice-presidency awarded to far-right Raffaele Fitto, leading to divisions among political factions. The new Commission features key figures and reflects a right-leaning composition, with concerns from leftist members about its implications for European values.
European Parliament Approves New Commission Team Amid Global Challenges
On Wednesday, the European Parliament officially approved the new team of the European Commission in Strasbourg, set to assume office at the beginning of December. This decision comes during a time marked by considerable economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
The European executive received a total of 370 votes in favor, with 282 against and 36 abstentions. This paves the way for Ursula von der Leyen to embark on her second term, just weeks before Donald Trump is poised to take office as President of the United States. The atmosphere was charged with urgency.
Urgent Call for Economic Competitiveness
Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Europe must act swiftly, highlighting the necessity to enhance competitiveness to close the gap with economic powerhouses like the United States and China. “Our freedom and sovereignty rely more than ever on our economic strength,” she stated.
In terms of defense, von der Leyen stressed the importance of increasing military spending to effectively counterbalance Russian military expenditures. She expressed concern over the potential implications of Trump’s return, which could signal a reduced U.S. commitment to Ukraine. “Our defense spending must rise,” she declared, noting that while Russia allocates up to 9% of its GDP for defense, Europe averages only 1.9%. “This discrepancy is untenable,” she asserted.
According to analyst Luigi Scazzieri from the Centre for European Reform, preparing for Trump’s return represents “the most urgent challenge” for the EU, impacting both trade and security in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The approval of the new Commission was not without its challenges. Disagreements arose over the vice-presidency awarded to Italian Raffaele Fitto from Giorgia Meloni’s far-right party, Fratelli d’Italia, with leftist factions pushing for a ‘sanitary cordon’ in response to this appointment. Von der Leyen accepted responsibility for this choice, emphasizing its strategic importance in fostering relations with Meloni.
After days of negotiation, a coalition of the EPP (right), centrist Renew group, and social democrats ultimately reached a consensus, marking a significant achievement by approving all proposed commissioners for the first time in two decades.
The new Commission features notable figures, including former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who will lead EU diplomacy, and French centrist Stéphane Séjourné, who has been appointed vice-president overseeing industrial strategy. Furthermore, Spanish socialist Teresa Ribera will serve as vice-president for Ecological Transition and Competition.
This latest Commission is tilted towards the right, with approximately fifteen out of 27 portfolios allocated to the EPP, the dominant political entity in Parliament. EPP leader Manfred Weber expressed his satisfaction, calling it a “well-balanced” Commission, hinting at a potential parliamentary majority that spans from the European Conservatives and Reformists to some Green representatives.
Weber also addressed leftist critiques regarding far-right affiliations, reaffirming that there are clear boundaries for cooperation, particularly with factions that do not uphold pro-European, pro-Ukraine, and pro-rule of law values. Iratxe Garcia-Pérez, head of the social democrats, pointed out the necessity for stability in Europe, while also cautioning the EPP that there would be no tolerance for double standards regarding far-right relations.
The decision to grant a vice-presidency to Fitto has sparked division within his group, with French socialists opposing the new Commission. Raphaël Glucksmann criticized the situation, arguing that the Commission should vigorously defend European interests, which he believes Fratelli d’Italia does not represent.
Meanwhile, the far-right faction, led by Frenchman Jordan Bardella, outright rejected the new team, branding them as “unknown commissioners dictating the daily lives of 450 million citizens.”