Von der Leyen becomes first female to lead EU Commission

LONDON: Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen has been elected as the president of the EU Commission.

The center-right defense minister will replace Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on November 1.

Speaking after the vote, von der Leyen, who is the first woman to be elected president of the European Commission, said, “The trust you placed in me is confidence you placed in Europe.”

She secured the backing of more than half of the members of the European parliament on Tuesday evening.

The Commission drafts EU laws, enforces EU rules and has the power to impose fines on member states, if necessary.

(Agencies)