European parliament reaches deal on approving von der Leyen’s top team

Agreement resolves Socialists’ threats to block Brothers of Italy nominee and EPPs opposition to Spain’s deputy PM

European parliament leaders have reached a deal to approve Ursula von der Leyen’s top team, paving the way for the new European Commission to take office on 1 December.

Leaders of the centre-right European People’s party (EPP), the Socialists and the centrist Renew group – who between them have 56% of the parliament’s 720 seats – forged a compromise on Wednesday intended to ensure that von der Leyen’s nominees would be approved in a vote next week.