Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission has been approved by the European Parliament, but with the lowest level of support in EU history, reflecting deep divisions among lawmakers and signaling a challenging five-year term ahead.
The Commission secured 370 votes in favor, representing only 54% of those cast and just 51% of the Parliament’s total membership of 719. This narrow margin raises doubts about the stability of support for legislative measures during the Commission’s tenure.
Fragmented Political Support
The traditional alliance of centrist groups—the European People’s Party (EPP), Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe—failed to deliver a majority. Together, they mustered only 308 votes, well short of the 360 needed for a stable backing.
Internal splits plagued the EPP and S&D. Spain’s Partido Popular (EPP) opposed the inclusion of Spanish Vice President Teresa Ribera from their political rival PSOE. Similarly, disagreements over conservative appointee Raffaele Fitto as a Commission vice president alienated Belgian, French, and German S&D lawmakers.
This fragmentation leaves the Commission reliant on ad hoc coalitions. David McAllister, a veteran EPP MEP, noted potential collaborations with either the Greens or the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) to secure legislative support. However, these groups are themselves divided and ideologically opposed, complicating any cohesive strategy.
Greens and Conservatives Divided
The Greens/EFA group was split, with some members supporting the Commission while others criticized its perceived rightward shift, particularly regarding climate policies under Vice President Fitto. Green MEP Marie Toussaint accused centrist leaders of opportunism in courting both conservatives and environmentalists.
Conversely, ECR lawmakers who backed the Commission did so with the intent of steering the EU’s policies rightward, challenging the Green Deal. Despite this, ECR co-chair Nicola Procaccini acknowledged the lack of a cohesive majority, emphasizing that each legislative vote will depend on issue-specific coalitions.
Von der Leyen’s Pragmatic Approach
Ursula von der Leyen avoided aligning her Commission with any specific political majority, focusing instead on fostering cooperation with “pro-EU,” “pro-Ukraine,” and “pro-rule of law” forces. This flexible approach may allow her to navigate the fragmented Parliament but could also hinder the development of a clear legislative agenda.
German Socialist MEP René Repasi suggested that the European Parliament’s committee system could play a stabilizing role, where technical compromise amendments are crafted and respected in plenary sessions.
A Precarious Path Forward
The fractured Parliament and lack of a stable majority underscore the challenges facing the European Commission. While von der Leyen’s adaptable strategy may enable progress on key issues, the deep political divides will likely demand constant negotiation and compromise to pass legislation over the next five years.
