Can von der Leyen make a difference? Probably yes — but only modestly so.
Brussels, July 17.– Ende gut, alles gut – all is well if it ends well? After some unsavoury back-and forth on the distribution of top jobs in the European Union, the 
European Parliament has narrowly elected Ursula von der Leyen as the successor to Jean-Claude Juncker at the helm of the European Commission.
Her five-year term starts in November. She received 383 votes, only slightly more than the required minimum of 374 votes. Five years ago, Juncker had been elected with 422 votes.
Institutional crisis averted
With yesterday’s vote, the EU has averted a major institutional crisis. On balance, the vote for von der Leyen could put the EU on track for some progress. But the unusually tight result also highlights the challenges von der Leyen will face.
Can von der Leyen make a difference? Probably yes — but only modestly so. And possibly not in the straightforward way that some observers may hope for.
The ambitious agenda she presented has more green, center-left and risk-sharing elements ...
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