For the first time in the history of the EU, the European Parliament elected - and not merely approved - the President of the European Commission following a proposal by the European Council, according to the rules laid down in the Lisbon Treaty (December 2009).
422 members voted in favour, 250 against, 47 abstained. The total number of votes cast was 729, 10 of which were non valid.
Candidate of European citizens and governments
As the lead candidate of the party which won most seats in the European elections of 22-25 May, the former Prime Minister of Luxembourg had been nominated as candidate to the EU top position by the European Council on 27 June in a formal vote, with 26 heads of state or government voting in favour of Jean-Claude Juncker (EPP) and two voting against.
Next steps
The Commission President-elect will now send official letters to the member states' leaders inviting them to propose their candidate members of the Commission.
REF. : 20140714IPR52341
