MEPs from all 27 EU member states decided whether the German politician will take on another five-year term as chief of the EU’s governing body.
Ms von der Leyen was comfortably re-elected, with 401 votes in favour, 284 against and 15 abstentions. She needed 361 votes to pass.
Today’s News in 90 seconds – 18th July 2024
Half of Ireland’s 14 MEPs publicly shared their decision today, but it is believed all bar Fine Gael’s four MEPs – Seán Kelly, Maria Walsh, Regina Doherty and Nina Carberry – voted against Ms von der Leyen’s re-election.
Sinn Féin’s MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan has shared on social media that she opposed Ms von der Leyen’s re-election.
“Von Der Leyen might not do transparency but I do,” she said on X.
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She was the only Irish MEP to speak during the debate ahead of the vote.
“We are witnessing the most documented genocide in history. And still, there are no consequences for Israel,” said Ms Boylan. “Colleagues, today say ‘no’ to genocide and say ‘no’ to von der Leyen.”
Labour Party MEP for Dublin Aodhán Ó Ríordáin also shared a photo of the ballot on X, showing his vote against the commission president.
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Another Irish MEP who posted a picture of the ballot online was Independent TD for Midlands North-West Luke Flanagan, who voted against Ms von der Leyen.
“She’s not fit for the job,” he said on X.
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Independent MEP Ciaran Mullooly, who met with Ms von der Leyen last night, also opposed her re-election.
“I appealed to her to come forward in particular in the area of pressure on the Israelis, pressure in terms of the EU-Israel trade agreement,” he told RTÉ Radio One’s News At One.
“I appealed to her to suspend the agreement. Unfortunately, once she got up this morning to make her address to the parliament there, she didn’t address that issue. She didn’t call for a ceasefire. I voted against her in the actual election.”
Fine Gael’s MEP for Midlands North-West Maria Walsh pledged her support for the former German defence minister to stay in office, as did Dublin Fine Gael MEP for Dublin Regina Doherty.
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Seán Kelly, Fine Gael’s MEP for Ireland South, said he is “delighted” with Ms von der Leyen’s re-election.
“I think a majority of MEPs looked at her work over the last five years and said that, in very difficult circumstances, she’s doing a good job,” said Mr Kelly.
Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher previously indicated he would vote against Ms von der Leyen.
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Ms von der Leyen (65) has served as the 13th EU Commission chief since 2019.
During her first term, she oversaw the world’s biggest package of climate change policies, the EU response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and 14 rounds of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.