Parliament approves the “von der Leyen II” Commission
Following a debate with Ursula von der Leyen on her new team and programme, MEPs elected the College of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote.
- Second von der Leyen Commission approved by 370 votes for, 282 against, 36 abstentions
- College of Commissioners expected to take office on 1 December
- MEPs to monitor Commission commitments for the next five years
Details on how each MEP voted will be available shortly on Parliament’s dedicated webpage and in the plenary session's minutes.
To be confirmed, the College of Commissioners needed a majority of the votes cast (rule 129.7 of the EP Rules of Procedure).
This will be Ursula von der Leyen’s second term as Commission President, following the approval of her first Commission by MEPs in November 2019.
EBRD to support expansion of largest windfarm in Africa
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the development and sustainability of Egypt’s renewable-energy sector by extending a US$ 21.3 million loan to Red Sea Wind Energy. The loan will fund the development and construction of a 150 MW expansion to the 500 MW wind farm currently being constructed in the country’s Gulf of Suez region.
European Commission and South Africa launch the Scaling up Renewables in Africa campaign
Today in Rio de Janeiro, on the eve of the G20 Summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the global campaign ‘Scaling up Renewables in Africa' during Global Citizen NOW.
Hearing of Executive Vice-President-designate Stéphane Séjourné
On Tuesday, four parliamentary committees questioned Stéphane Séjourné, French candidate for the Prosperity and Industrial Strategy portfolio.
Hearing of Commissioner-designate Maroš Šefčovič
On Monday, the International Trade and Constitutional Affairs committees questioned Šefčovič, Slovak candidate for Trade and Economic Security/ Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency.
Hearing of Commissioner-designate Jozef Síkela
The Committee on Development questioned Jozef Síkela, Czech candidate for the International Partnerships portfolio, on Wednesday.
The European Union confirms its cooperation priorities with partners around the world are fit for purpose and approves funds for 2025-2027
The European Commission has adopted the mid-term review of the programming of NDICI-Global Europe for Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas and the Caribbean, the external dimension of Erasmus+, and for the thematic programmes on Human Rights and Democracy, Civil Society Organisations, Peace, Stability and Conflict prevention, and Global Challenges.
Central African Republic: Council extends the mandate of the EU advisory mission for two years
The Council adopted on October 21st, 2024, a decision extending the mandate of the EU advisory mission in the Central African Republic (EUAM RCA) for a further two years, until 7 August 2026, with a budget allocation of over €24 million for this period.
Commission continues work to deepen trade and investment relations with Eastern and Southern African countries
A European Commission report published on October 18, 2024, highlights the good progress made in recent negotiations to deepen trade and investment relations with five Eastern and Southern African partners.
Global Gateway: EU provides €20 million additional funding towards the Africa CDC-WHO Mpox preparedness and response plan
ADDIS ABABA, 15 October – Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, has announced an additional €20 million funding towards the fight against Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This additional funding contributes to the DRC’s Mpox response and supports preparedness against epidemics as part of the EU’s objective to support the strengthening of health systems in Africa. Commissioner Urpilainen discussed the new announcement and coordination needed to tackle Mpox outbreaks with Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya.