In a move that came as no surprise, Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as President of the European Commission with a solid 401 votes in favor, significantly surpassing the 360 votes required. Similarly, Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as President of the European Parliament.
Von der Leyen’s Continued Commitment to 2035 Goal
These re-elections were expected as the balance of power within the EU has remained relatively stable post-election. The European People’s Party (EPP) and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (PSE) continue to be the dominant parties, with only a slight increase in representation from more right-leaning parties. The most notable change was the decline of Renew Europe. The EU’s focus remains firmly on increasing energy independence and productivity, albeit with some compromises.
In her renewed mandate, Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the EU’s goal to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars by 2035. However, she introduced a significant update by announcing the EU’s openness to e-fuels, synthetic fuels produced using renewable energy.
This decision is a compromise designed to satisfy the EPP, particularly its German members, and the more conservative factions within the Union. The move aims to balance decarbonization objectives with technological plurality, innovation, and industrial needs.
E-fuels could serve as a transitional solution towards full electrification. Although currently expensive, they have the advantage of being compatible with traditional cars, potentially avoiding increased vehicle prices.
