Von Der Leyen Wins Second Term As President Of EU

'Next five years will define our place in the world,' she says

- ALEXANDER BUTLER

Ursula von der Leyen has vowed to create a "true European Defence Union" including an "air shield" across the bloc in the face of the threat from Russia, having been re-elected as the EU's top leader for a second five-year term.

Ms Von der Leyen pledged that the union will have flagship projects around air and cyber defences to ward against threats such as Russian aggression typified by their invasion of Ukraine and uncertainty over continuing American support for Kyiv with Donald Trump running for the White House again.

“Working with member states and in close coordination with Nato, we will propose a number of Defence Projects of Common European Interest starting with a European Air Shield and cyber defence,” she said ahead of a secret ballot on her candidacy.

The 65-year-old, who has been president of the European Commission since 2019, won 401 votes from the 720-member European Parliament, with 284 voting against her and 15 MEPs abstaining. There was a total of 707 votes.

“The next five years will define Europe’s place in the world for the next five decades. It will decide whether we shape our own future or let it be shaped by events or by others,” Ms Von der Leyen said.

Ms Von der Leyen raised both fists in victory as the parliament president Roberta Metsola read out the results at the legislature. After the vote, she added: “Our democracy is under attack from inside and from outside, and therefore it is crucial that the democratic forces stand together to defend our democracy.”