Von der Leyen’s Second Mandate: Steering a Geopolitical EU Through Turbulent Times
BRUSSELS, 20 January 2026 – Ursula von der Leyen, the first woman to lead the European Commission, is now well into her second five-year term at the helm of the EU’s executive arm. Re-elected by the European Parliament in July 2024, her leadership continues to be defined by a world of “predators”, shifting alliances, and the bloc’s struggle to assert its strategic autonomy. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to internal political fractures and a recalibrated green agenda, the von der Leyen Commission II faces a defining period for Europe’s future.
A Mandate Renewed, A Landscape Transformed
Ursula von der Leyen’s re-election on 18 July 2024, with 401 votes in the European Parliament, secured her a second term until 2029. Her new College of Commissioners, which took office on 1 December 2024, was approved by a narrower margin than her presidency, reflecting a more fragmented and challenging political landscape in Brussels. The Parliament is more fractured, with a strengthened far-right, while wars in Ukraine and the Middle East rage and the transatlantic relationship faces uncertainty with a second Trump administration in the United States.
Analysts note a significant shift from her first term, which was dominated by crisis management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the initial response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Her second mandate is very different,” notes a report from the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). “The geopolitical circumstances are far more complex, with the EU finding itself in a new world order and needing to define its place within it.”
Key Priorities: From Green Deal to Clean Industrial Deal
The political guidelines for 2024-2029, titled “Europe’s Choice”, outline an ambitious agenda refocused on competitiveness and security. While committing to the goals of the European Green Deal, the emphasis has perceptibly shifted towards a “Clean Industrial Deal”, aiming to balance environmental ambitions with economic growth and industrial resilience.
This recalibration is a response to widespread anxiety over the cost of living, economic competitiveness, and farmers’ protests, which have led to a watering down of some climate regulations. Key priorities include:
- Defence & Security: Creating a European Defence Union, with a new Commissioner for Defence and a white paper on the future of European defence.
- Economic Security: Reducing strategic dependencies, particularly on China, through de-risking strategies and strengthening the single market.
- Enlargement: Advancing EU membership for Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan countries, framed as a geopolitical necessity.
- Affordable Housing: Launching a European Affordable Housing Plan to address the continent-wide housing crisis.
Leadership Under Scrutiny: Credibility and Centralisation
Von der Leyen’s leadership style, characterised by what critics call “heavy presidentialisation”, is a double-edged sword. While her centralised approach enabled swift action during crises, it has also led to tensions with the European Parliament and concerns over transparency and diminished internal checks within the Commission.
“Ursula von der Leyen’s credibility is in question,” Patrick ten Brink of the European Environmental Bureau told The Parliament Magazine in late 2024, referring to the perceived rollback on green policies. Furthermore, her efforts to build fragile coalitions, including engaging with right-wing groups, have left her distrusted by some allies and foes alike, complicating her legislative agenda.
The Ukraine Litmus Test
Support for Ukraine remains the cornerstone of von der Leyen’s foreign policy. She has been a vocal advocate for using frozen Russian assets to fund a “reparations loan” for Kyiv and for accelerating Ukraine’s EU accession path. In a pivotal speech in November 2025, she outlined five EU priorities for any peace agreement: a just and lasting peace, upholding Ukrainian sovereignty, meeting Ukraine’s financial needs, ensuring the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”, and the return of children abducted by Russia.
However, this stance has also highlighted the EU’s limitations. The bloc has struggled to present a unified voice in US-led peace talks, and internal divisions, particularly from Hungary, continue to challenge the coherence of the EU’s external action.
Navigating a Hostile World
The external environment has grown increasingly hostile. A protectionist US administration under Donald Trump has launched trade attacks, labelling the EU a collective of “decaying nations”. Von der Leyen’s defence of a tariff deal with Washington, which she argued avoided a worse trade war, was criticised as a sign of European weakness. Simultaneously, the EU faces an aggressive Russia, a commercially assertive China, and the devastating war in Gaza, where von der Leyen’s stance has drawn criticism for a perceived lack of balance.
“By becoming the face of Europe at a time when the continent is under unprecedented challenge, she now bears the weight of its flaws,” noted Le Monde in September 2025.
Key Facts: The Von der Leyen Commission II
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Re-election Date | 18 July 2024 |
| Vote in Parliament | 401 in favour, 284 against |
| Commission Took Office | 1 December 2024 |
| Parliamentary Approval Margin | 370 in favour, 282 against (narrowest since 1993) |
| Core Agenda | Clean Industrial Deal, European Defence Union, EU Enlargement, Affordable Housing |
| Major Geopolitical Challenges | War in Ukraine, US Trade Policy, Middle East Conflict, Relations with China & Russia |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ursula von der Leyen re-elected?
Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission by the European Parliament on 18 July 2024, with 401 votes in favour.
What are the main priorities of her second term?
The priorities have shifted towards competitiveness and security, encapsulated in a “Clean Industrial Deal”, a stronger European defence policy, managing EU enlargement, and tackling the affordable housing crisis, while maintaining the long-term goals of the Green Deal.
How has the war in Ukraine shaped her agenda?
Support for Ukraine is a central pillar. Von der Leyen advocates for using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, accelerating its EU membership process, and ensuring any peace deal guarantees Ukrainian sovereignty and long-term security.
What are the biggest criticisms of her leadership?
Critics point to a centralised, top-down leadership style that sidelines the European Parliament, a perceived weakening of climate commitments, and a credibility challenge stemming from building coalitions with ideologically opposed political groups.