European Commission elects first female president

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been elected as the European Commission's first female president. The 60-year-old German Minister called for a united and strong Europe, after being elected. 

Leyen's nomination was approved by 383 votes, a narrow margin of just nine votes over the required 374, at the



European Parliament in Strasbourg, France yesterday. There were 327 votes against her and 22 abstentions. 

Von der Leyen was nominated to become the first woman in Brussels' top job last month by the leaders of the bloc's 28 member states, to the annoyance of many MEPs.