Ursula von der Leyen’s future as EU chief rests on knife-edge as MEPs prepare to vote

On paper the European Commission president has much support – but the bloc could fall into crisis if she loses

The European parliament will decide whether to confirm Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president in a knife-edge vote on Thursday that will either result in a second term for the EU executive’s first female leader or tip the bloc into a summer crisis.

Von der Leyen was nominated by EU leaders last month for a second five-year term leading the EU executive, which is responsible for drafting and enforcing EU law. Now she needs to secure the backing of at least 361 MEPs, a simple majority of the newly elected, more right-leaning parliament.