Ursula von der Leyen has clung on as European Union Commission president for a second term.

       The 720-strong European Parliament approved her for a second five-year term. She received 401 votes in her favour but some 284 against and 15 abstentions. She needed 361 votes to pass.

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       In a pivotal address to MEPs in the Strasbourg chamber before the vote, Ursula von der Leyen sought to garner support from mainstream pro-European factions. To appeal to her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), she pledged an EU law aimed at reducing burdens on small businesses.

       Acknowledging the Greens, liberals, and Socialists, von der Leyen committed to maintaining EU climate initiatives. She announced plans for a “new clean industrial deal” within her first 100 days, focusing on investment in decarbonizing manufacturing and green technology.

       Her proposals included the unprecedented appointment of a European commissioner for housing and the creation of a “European affordable housing plan” to tackle high rents and unaffordable homes—a priority for the Socialists.

       Von der Leyen also reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine, issuing a sharp rebuke to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's recent trip to Moscow.

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       “This so-called peace mission was nothing but an appeasement mission,” she declared, receiving the loudest applause of her 50-minute speech.

       “I will never let the extreme polarisation of our societies become accepted. I will never accept that demagogues and extremists destroy our European way of life,” she added before expressing her willingness to collaborate with “all the democratic forces in this house.”

       Many officials have already congratuled von der Leyen, with Polish Prime Minister tweeting: “Times are hard, but with your courage and determination, I’m sure you’ll do a great job. We will do, together."

       German chancellor Olaf Scholz also chimed in, saying: "Congratulations on your re-election, Ursula – a clear sign of our ability to act in the European Union, especially in difficult times. Europeans expect us to take Europe forward. Let's do it!"

       The vote comes as other European leaders attend the EPC summit at Blenheim Palace today, hosted by Keir Starmer. The UK Prime Minister has also been joined by European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni.