The Majority of Romanian MEPs in Strasbourg Support the New European Commission

Strasbourg – A majority of Romanian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) present in Strasbourg on Wednesday supported the new European Commission, which was approved by the European Parliament with 370 votes in favor, 282 against, and 36 abstentions, as reported in the official minutes published later.

The Romanian MEPs who voted in favor included Rareş Bogdan, Daniel Buda, Gheorghe Falcă, Mircea Hava, Siegfried Mureşan, Adina Vălean (all from the European People’s Party group), Dan Barn (of the Renew Europe group), and Dragoş Benea, Vasile Dîncu, Gabriela Firea, Maria Grapini, Roxana Mînzatu, Ştefan Muşoiu, Victor Negrescu, Dan Nica (all members of the S&D group), along with Nicolae Ştefănuţă from the Greens group.

Opposing the new EU executive were Adrian Axinia, Gheorghe Piperea, Şerban-Dimitrie Sturdza, Claudiu Târziu, Georgiana Teodorescu (all from the European Conservatives and Reformists group, ECR), and Luis-Vicenţiu Lazarus (non-affiliated).

Additionally, MEPs Lorant Vincze and Iuliu Winkler (both from the EPP group) chose to abstain from the vote.

Romania has a total of 33 MEPs in the European Parliament.

Following a debate with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding her new team and agenda for the upcoming five years, the college of commissioners was elected via roll call vote. For confirmation, a majority of the votes cast was required (Article 129 paragraph (7) of the EP Rules of Procedure).

This marks the second term for Ursula von der Leyen as President of the Commission, following her first election by MEPs in July 2019.

Prior to the vote, Ursula von der Leyen outlined her team and program, noting the portfolio adjustments requested by MEPs during the evaluation phase. “We are prepared to start our work immediately,” she stated, highlighting the Commission’s commitment to championing freedom, sovereignty, security, and prosperity.

Once officially appointed by the European Council by a qualified majority, the new European Commission is anticipated to assume its responsibilities on December 1st. MEPs will oversee the Commission’s commitments throughout the next five years. (27.11.2024)