The future of the E

Ursula von der Leyen re-elected - five more years in office

The EU Parliament approves Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President for another five years, several media reports.

401 members of parliament voted for von der Leyen – 40 more than the 361 required.

Before the vote, von der Leyen promised, among other things, to lead the fight against "demagogues and extremists" in Europe.

- We don't agree on everything, but we should at least agree that Europe is stronger when we bridge our differences and unite our forces, she said. 

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Analysis: von der Leyen shifts political focus

With her speech before this afternoon's vote, Ursula von der Leyen shifts the focus in politics, says SR's Brussels correspondent Andreas Liljeheden.

- Last term, it was clear that it was climate legislation, the green given, that was her big flagship. Now there is much more focus on industry and investment in increased competitiveness with new funds.

SvD's Theresa Küchler writes that before the election von der Leyen portrays herself as a guarantor of stability in an uncertain environment.

"Ultimately, von der Leyen seems to be betting that the anxiety and uncertainty about the future, in a time of war and perhaps with a president in the United States swaying about the transatlantic friendship, will be what secures her re-election," Küchler writes.

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von der Leyen: The carnage in Gaza must stop now

"The bloodbath in Gaza must stop now," says Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament according to AFP. The speech comes before the re-election of von der Leyens as president of the European Commission later today.

An immediate and long-term ceasefire must come into effect with the release of Israeli hostages and a plan for reconstruction is needed, says von der Leyen, among other things, in the speech.

In a 31-page document, von der Leyen writes about his European vision. Among other things, she promises not to back down from the EU's climate goals if she is re-elected.

von der Leyen also promises a European defense project, a "true European defense union", including an air defense for Europe.