The new EU executive will be launched on the 1st of next month...2nd generation of Ponderayen

The next executive branch, which will lead the European Union (EU) over the next five years, will officially be launched on the 1st of next month.

The European Parliament said in a press release on Thursday that a vote to approve 27 members of the commission, including Ursula von der Leyen, who is serving a second term, had been approved at the Strasbourg plenary session.

Although the process of formally appointing the Commission by the Council representing the 27 EU countries remains, this is a formal process and the "second Ponderayen" is expected to begin next month.

Commission President von der Leyen said he would bridge the gap in technological innovation with the U.S. and China and pursue policies around three pillars: a joint plan between member states for de-carbonization and competitiveness, strengthening security and reducing external dependence.

At the same time, he said he would publish a white paper on the future of European defence within 100 days of the launch of the executive branch, stressing that European security will always be a priority in this one.

Some observers say the new executive will also push for a protectionist policy that puts EU interests first in preparation for former U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" trade policy, which will come back to power in January.