EU conservatives to back von der Leyen bid for second term

(ANSA-AFP) - BUCHAREST, MAR 7 - The conservative European People's Party (EPP) is expected on Thursday to formally back European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second term. Some 1,500 representatives of the biggest force in the European Union parliament -- including lawmakers, party leaders and 12 heads of state and government -- are due to endorse the candidacy of the 65-year-old German at a party congress in Bucharest. Having navigated multiple crises at the helm of the European Commission ranging from Covid to the Ukraine war, the former defence minister is seeking to be reappointed for a new term until 2029. During the conference's opening day Wednesday, EPP leader Manfred Weber hailed von der Leyen as a "solid leader", who could count on the support of a vast majority of members, adding that Europe would be "in good hands" with her at the helm. Von der Leyen is expected to address the party congress in the Romanian capital before a secret ballot. The result is expected to be announced at around 12:30 pm (1030 GMT). (ANSA-AFP).