EU chief Von der Leyen wins second term

FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

STRASBOURG, France—European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday won a second five-year term that she vowed would tackle the EU’s challenges head-on, including bolstering its defense capability and strengthening Europe’s industry.

Von der Leyen received votes backing her from 401 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the 720-seat chamber in the French city of Strasbourg—over the 361-vote majority she needed to remain head of the EU’s executive body. There were 284 lawmakers who voted against in the secret ballot, held during the first parliamentary session since EU-wide elections in June.

An elated Von der Leyen pumped fists in the air after parliament speaker Roberta Metsola announced the result. “We have navigated the most troubled waters that our union has ever faced,” she told reporters. Von der Leyen however faces another difficult five years, with rising expectations that former US president Donald Trump will return to the White House after elections later this year.

—AFP

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrates after she was re-elected for a second term at The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France on July 18, 2024. EU lawmakers on July 18 handed Ursula von der Leyen another five-year term as European Commission president during their first parliamentary session since June elections. Von der Leyen won with the support of 401 MEPs in the 720-seat chamber — comfortably over the 361-vote majority she needed to remain head of the EU’s executive body. There were 284 who voted against in the secret ballot. (Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP)

Russia seeks 18-year sentence for US journalist

MOSCOW—Russian prosecutors at the trial of US journalist Evan Gershkovich on Friday requested that he be jailed for 18 years on charges of spying, Russian news agencies reported. A verdict will be passed on the Wall Street Journal reporter within hours, the agencies said. Gershkovich, his newspaper and the US government all reject the accusation of spying. The latest hearing was due to start at 10:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) at Sverdlovsk Regional Court in Yekaterinburg.

After just two closed-door hearings in Gershkovich’s case, the defense and the prosecution were due to give their closing arguments, a court spokesperson said. The verdict could then be announced as early as Friday or at a later date. Gershkovich’s case has moved rapidly since the first hearing in late June. In Washington’s view, Gershkovich’s arrest was primarily intended to help Russia use him as a “bargaining chip” to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad.

—Reuters, AFP

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