President-Designate Ursula von der....>

EU COMMISSION: President-Designate Ursula von der Leyen has delivered her

opening statement in the European Parliament (EP) plenary session in which MEPs

will vote on VDL's 'College of Commissioners'.

- Already a minor blow for the prospective Commission, with the co-leader of the

Greens group Ska Keller stating her group will abstain in the vote for the

incoming Commission.

- Abstention could cause issues going forward, with Greens a growing force in

German politics and a large bloc in the Green EP group. Abstention on VDL plays

into image of Greens as activists, not serious about governing. 

- Extreme left and right groups - the European United Left-Nordic Green Left,

and Identity and Democracy - are likely to vote against the Commission. 

- Even with votes against and abstentions, the VDL Commission is set to be

approved given that it has support from the centre-right European People's

Party, centre-left Socialists and Democrats, and centrist Renew Europe groups,

which combined hold a majority in EP. 

- Commission set to take office on 1 Dec.