After months of political wrangling, the European Parliament has narrowly approved President Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission cabinet. Most Belgian MEPs either voted against or abstained.
On Wednesday, European Parliament President Metsola and political group leaders officially concluded the hearings process of the Commissioners-designate before the plenary vote, which passed with 370 in favour, 282 against and 36 abstentions. It is the lowest majority in EU history and below her 2019 score, where she received 461 in favour.
Amid rounds of applauses, boos and jeers, MEPs fiercely debated the programme of the new Commission with President Ursula von der Leyen, who also presented the new College of Commissioners. They are expected to take office on 1 December.
MEPs addressed concerns over security and the economy, stressing the importance to approve the EU budget, whose main priorities are climate, health, humanitarian aid and border management.
Many MEPs vowed to not support the new European Commission over concerns for the role of Executive Vice-President of the Commission being given to the far-right Italian candidate, Rafaelle Fitto (ECR).
Economy and security focus
Yet in the end, von der Leyen was able to get her fragile coalition over the line. Speaking to MEPs before the vote, she laid out her vision for the new Commission, in an appeal to all corners of the Parliament.
EP Plenary session - Presentation by the Commission President elect of the College of Commissioners and its programme. Credit: EU
"Our fight for freedom may look different to generations past. But the stakes are just as high. And, these freedoms will not come for free. It will mean making difficult choices. It will mean massive investment in our security and prosperity," von der Leyen said.
"Unity will be all the more important in today's contested world. A world in which every weakness is weaponised, every division pounced upon and every dependency exploited," she continued.
The EU leader also paid tribute to Ukraine, reiterating that she "will work with all democratic pro-European forces in this House." This is despite a recent 'Venezuela majority' which united her own party (EPP) with far-right groups on a vote – provoking the protests of progressive forces and nearly brought down the Commission.
For the Commission President, freedom and sovereignty "depend more than ever" on economic strength, of which Europe's social model is also "dependent".
For von der Leyen's next Commission, the main focuses will be closing the innovation gap, the "joint plan" for decarbonisation and competitiveness, as well as reinforcing the EU's economic security.
EP Plenary session - Presentation by the Commission President elect of the College of Commissioners and its programme. Credit: EU
She also referenced growing international tensions and external threats, calling for more defence investment and NATO, noting that Russia is spending up to 9% of its GDP on defence, while Europe is spending on average 1.9%.
"War, conflict and human suffering continue unabated in our neighbourhood – from Ukraine to the Middle East and in parts of Africa. Europe must play a stronger role in all of these arena," von der Leyen vowed.
Belgian boycott
The Commission President's promises have not convinced everyone, with only 7 out of 22 Belgian MEPs having supported the new European Commission.
Ahead of the vote, all French-speaking Belgian MEPs said they would not support it, stating they were either voting against or abstaining. MEPs from PS, Ecolo and PTB, all voted against, as did the Dutch-speaking socialists Vooruit. French-speaking liberals MR abstained.
"I cannot support the Commission as it stands," said Belgian MEP and former prime minister Sophie Wilmes (MR - Renew Europe) before the vote, confirming liberal MEPs will abstain. "I cannot bring myself to support the far-right in a leadership position such as the Vice-Presidency. We can change Europe without giving in to the extremes and their ideas."
Only Flemish MEPs from N-VA and CD&V said they would vote in favour. N'VA's Johan Van Overtveldt praised von der Leyen's "strong emphasis on competitiveness, fewer rules, innovation, defence and investments," but said it remained "vague" how this would be realised. Vlaams Belang, following the line of Viktor Orbàn’s far-right group ‘Patriots for Europe’, voted against.
The Greens/EFA group had since threatened to pull support for von der Leyen over Fitto's nomination, but caved this week after von der Leyen announced former leader and Belgian MEP veteran Philip Lamberts as a key political advisor on the climate.
"Our group has voted by a slim majority to support the Commission, but we remain critical on several elements," said Greens leader Bas Eickhout, who criticised the EPP and the far-right and bringing in domestic politics during the hearings process, in reference to fallout over the Valencia floods.
The Socialists & Democrats (S&D) leader, Iratxe García, stated her group would support the new Commission on Wednesday, but called on all groups to respect the agreement between pro-European forces.
"We ask President von der Leyen and EPP president Manfred Weber to abandon their whitewashing of the far-right and reaffirm their commitment to the pro-European majority. Our support is not a blank cheque. We will not accept double-dealing," García said.
On Monday, Belgian Francophone Socialist MEPs Elio Di Rupo and Estelle Ceulemans (PS) said that they would vote against the new European Commissioners – going against their party line. Centrists Les Engagés too, said the inclusion of the far-right in the European Commission executive was a red line.
Speaking during the plenary session on Wednesday on behalf of the far-right and national conservative ECR group, Belgian MEP Assita Kanko (N-VA) stressed the urgency of getting the European Commission approved.
"I too have my doubts about some members of the Commission. But we've had enough of the horse trading and mud-slinging, Now we have to get to work for citizens and we all know that this would not be possible without a new European Commission in place, otherwise we cannot get to work."
