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German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Ursula von der Leyen, was elected President of the European Commission on 16 July. REUTERS / Francois Lenoir

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen was elected to the head of the European Commission on Tuesday (July 16th) with a very narrow majority. Its beginnings are difficult.

Ursula von der Leyen just passed. The German was elected by the MEPs at the head of the European Commission, but with a short lead : 383 votes is slightly more than the absolute majority (374 votes).

This score far from the 444 ballots she should have had, corresponding to the votes of the total of conservatives, social democrats and liberal centrists who had expressly supported her.

A legitimacy to consolidate

For the populists in Parliament, this poorly elected candidate is the sign of the weakening of a Europe they denounce, marking the beginning of turbulence which they hope to emerge even stronger.

The left of the left sees a democratic rebellion, that of a European Parliament boiling. The point of agreement: with such a fragile legitimacy, the immediate task of Ursula von der Leyen to compose the European Commission is going to be difficult.

It will be difficult for her to act from now on. The question is: what to do with the populists? The Italians warned that they wanted the League a portfolio and major powers for example to the competition, reports our special correspondent in Strasbourg, Anissa el Jabri.

Work " constructively "

Ursula von der Leyen must now set her priorities for the next five years. It has already given some pointers on 16 July on the ecological commitment, the reform of the European Union and the increase of the powers of Parliament or a more social Europe.

Before these long-term prospects, Ursula von der Leyen will first have to spend the summer to compose her team, the college of commissioners that the twenty-seven other countries will have to propose to her and who will also have to go under the caudine forks of a hearing and a vote in the European Parliament, explains our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet.

The new president has acknowledged, hardly the result known, that its beginnings are difficult by calling on MEPs to work together " constructively ".

►Also read: Ursula von der Leyen elected to the head of the European Commission