By Foo Yun Chee
STRASBOURG (Reuters) – Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday secured European Parliament backing for her new team at the European Commission, paving the way for her to take office at the start of next month amid mounting challenges in Europe and across the Atlantic.
A majority of lawmakers at the European Parliament on Wednesday endorsed the new Commission, headed by Ursula von der Leyen for a second term.
Three hundred and seventy lawmakers voted for the new European Union executive team, while 282 voted against.
The new Commission is expected to take up its duties on Dec. 1 after its formal appointment by the European Council via a qualified majority.
The issues Von der Leyen will have to deal with next year include Donald Trump’s return to the White House as U.S. president, along with mounting tensions with China, the war in Ukraine and climate change.
She has pledged to announce proposals in her first 100 days to help companies reach the EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal, to boost European defence, set out a vision for EU agriculture and present reports on planned EU enlargement.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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