Ursula von der Leyen after the vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. As head of the EU executive, von der Leyen (60) will be in charge of trade negotiations, economic and climate policy for 500 million Europeans and antitrust rulings involving powerful tech giants. UNCONVINCED GREENSGreens lawmakers, who voted against von der Leyen, questioned her ability to carry out her promises. The liberal group Renew Europe and the Socialists and Democrats Group had earlier announced support for Von der Leyen regardless of the EU lawmakers' decision. In her biggest cross-party promise, von der Leyen offered to help allow the EU parliament the right to propose new legislation - currently the Commission's prerogative.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 17, 2019 05:02 UTC