Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission has been approved by the European Parliament, but with the narrowest margin in EU history, raising concerns about its ability to garner consistent legislative support over the next five years.
The Commission secured 370 votes in favor, representing 54% of votes cast and only 51% of the Parliament’s total membership. This slim majority highlights fractures within the traditional centrist coalition of the European People’s Party (EPP), Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe, which together fell short of a majority with just 308 votes.
Internal disagreements in the EPP and S&D played a significant role. Spain’s Partido Popular (EPP) opposed Spanish Vice President Teresa Ribera from rival PSOE, while several S&D members rejected the appointment of conservative Raffaele Fitto as vice president.
Ad hoc coalitions are now expected to define the legislative process. Prominent EPP MEP David McAllister mentioned potential collaborations with either the Greens or the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), though these groups remain divided and ideologically opposed, complicating cohesive partnerships.
Green lawmakers were split, with some supporting the Commission but criticizing its perceived shift to the right. Conversely, ECR members who backed the Commission aimed to challenge the EU’s climate agenda, including the Green Deal, while others within the group voted against.
Von der Leyen avoided mentioning a specific political majority in her address, instead emphasizing cooperation with “pro-EU” and “pro-rule of law” forces. German Socialist MEP René Repasi suggested that committee-level compromises could ensure legislative progress despite the fractured Parliament.
The lack of a stable majority presents a precarious path forward for the European Commission, with each legislative vote likely requiring extensive negotiations and shifting alliances. Von der Leyen’s flexible approach may provide opportunities for progress, but deep political divides are expected to challenge the EU’s policymaking in the coming years.
