Following the 2024 European Parliament elections in which far-right parties made substantial gains, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces a challenging road ahead. With the vote becoming more fragmented, centrist and traditional parties suffered significant losses while seats went to left-wing and right-wing populist parties. This means von der Leyen has more options for securing her second term and passing legislation, but building consensus among the different groups will be tough.
After the election results, von der Leyen declared that the pro-EU centre had held and her lead candidacy for the European People’s Party was successful. While her party gained seats, the liberal Renew party performed poorly, especially in major EU member states such as Germany and Spain. The far-right Rassemblement National in France gained more votes than President Macron’s liberal party, leading to a snap election in France. The battle for political leadership in both France and Brussels is intensifying, with von der Leyen being a clear favorite for her job.
During her first term, von der Leyen gained significant name recognition and public approval, which likely contributed to her party’s strong showing in the elections. However, securing a second term will not be straightforward, as she will need to navigate a more fractured political landscape and make compromises with various party groupings. Negotiating with leftist, green, and far-right groups to propose legislative changes that satisfy all parties will be a challenging task.
The fight for the top jobs in the European Union has become more political and anticipated, signaling an important development in European politics. The outcome of the European Parliament elections now has a significant impact on what happens in Brussels and signals to voters that leadership in the European Commission matters in terms of both personalities and policies. Despite the complications ahead, this shift towards a more political Commission is seen as positive for democracy in the European Union.
Dr. Catherine E. De Vries, who serves as Generali Chair in European Policies and Professor of Political Science at Bocconi University, emphasizes the importance of the European Parliament elections for the policy direction of the European Union. With the elections becoming more crucial in shaping the future of Europe and resonating with voters, the increased political nature of the Commission nomination process reflects a positive development for democracy within the EU. The significance of the top jobs in the EU and the need for consensus-building among different parties highlights the evolving political landscape in Europe.
