EU leaders nominate von der Leyen for a second term

EU leaders have nominated current European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, after their previous meeting earlier this month failed to reach consensus on a candidate. She now needs support from a simple majority of newly elected members of the European Parliament to remain in the EU's top job.

Von der Leyen acknowledged that her base support in parliament is a "platform" around the centre-left S&D, liberal Renew and centre-right EPP parties. But "I have to convince a majority. I will be reaching out to others, too", she said, noting the importance of working with members who are "pro-European, pro-Ukraine and pro-rule-of-law".

Von der Leyen oversaw the establishment of the EU's Green Deal, a package of legislation and policy measures aimed at achieving a 55pc cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. Earlier this year, the commission set out a longer-term policy to reduce net GHG emissions by at least 90pc by 2040 from the same baseline.

At their meeting in Brussels, EU leaders also finalised a "strategic agenda" for 2024-29, a set of general recommendations for the incoming commission covering the whole range of EU policies. It did not specifically mention the 2040 GHG emissions target. But leaders did note the need for the path to climate neutrality by 2050 to be "pragmatic".

The recommendations call for a "just and fair" climate transition while staying competitive globally and increasing energy sovereignty. There should also be "abundant, affordable and clean energy" with "ambitious electrification" using all net-zero and low-carbon solutions, according to the agenda.

If and when appointed as president, von der Leyen would then select candidates for commissioners, including those responsible for climate and energy policy. These candidate commissioners also need to be approved by parliament.

By Dafydd ab Iago