The second European Commission to be led by Ursula von der Leyen will take office on December 1^st after receiving the green light from the European parliament on Wednesday, with the smallest majority in history and a split within political parties.

Parliament approved the new college of 26 commissioners with 370 votes in favour, 282 against and 36 abstentions. The first Von der Leyen Commission, five years ago, had obtained 461 votes.

The majority includes most members of the traditional centrist coalition (European People’s Party, Socialists & Democrats and Renew), but extended to some of the far right Conservative and Reformists (ECR) and some Greens. The far-right Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations groups, as well as the Left voted against.

Dutch members, including the eight MEPs from Groenlinks-PvdA, voted in favour of the new commission, while the far right PVV voted against and ECR’s Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) abstained.

Divided parties

The EPP (of which Von der Leyen is a member) mostly voted in favour, with the exception of the Spanish delegation, which was against the appointment of former environment minister Teresa Ribera as executive vice-president following the deadly flooding in Valencia.

French S&D members voted against, opposing the appointment of another vice-president, Italy’s far right Raffaele Fitto.

Groenlinks MEP Bas Eickhout said that the vote was “not an easy choice”. “A strong Europe is crucial in these times. With this vote, we are choosing a Europe that follows a stable pro-European course, instead of a conservative Europe that would weaken democracy, human rights, the position of workers and climate policy. That is essential with all the crises knocking on Europe’s door,” he said.

He added that the group still has “major objections to commissioners Olivér Várhelyi and Raffaele Fitto” but that concessions were made on the “content” of upcoming legislation.

Focus on the economy

In her speech ahead of the vote, Ursula von der Leyen announced a focus on economic competitiveness, security and democracy while reaffirming the commitment to the Green Deal.

“Overcoming divisions and forging compromises is the hallmark of any vivid democracy. And my message today is that we want to work with you in that spirit. … We will work with all democratic pro-European forces in this House. And as I have done in my first mandate, I will always work from the centre,” Von der Leyen said.

But green groups see the focus on competitiveness and the slashing of the administrative burden for businesses as clashing with the pledges to promote environmental and social standards.

“It’s hard to see what this new commission stands for, other than Von der Leyen’s place at the helm,” commented Greenpeace EU executive director Jorgo Riss.

Motley crew

“She will oversee a motley crew of commissioners rowing in different directions in a sea of unprecedented perils and uncertainty. The first 100 days will signal whether any green and social momentum survives to help people who struggle with the cost of living, job insecurity, and the threat of deadly floods and other extreme weather events.”

Fredrik Persson, president of BusinessEurope, the confederation of European business organisations, welcomed the new commission saying that “the European Union now urgently needs a bold agenda to restore its competitiveness, empower businesses, attract investment and drive innovation”. He asked the new commission “to urgently propose a coherent competitiveness strategy to steer our economic ship back on course.”

Dutch former foreign affairs minister Wopke Hoekstra was reconfirmed as commissioner, with a portfolio covering climate and ‘clean growth’.