Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's Party Opposes Ursula von der Leyen's Second Term

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party has voted against a second term for Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission, according to an ECR group member in the EU parliament.

"Voting in favour of Ursula von der Leyen would have meant going against some of our principles," Nicola Procaccini, co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, informed reporters.

The 720-member European Parliament approved von der Leyen with 401 votes in favour, 284 against, and 15 abstentions. She needed 361 votes to pass, while Meloni's party has 24 lawmakers in the EU assembly.

(With inputs from agencies.)