Ursula von der Leyen elected as President of the European Commission, becomes first woman to hold the post

Ursula von der Leyen was elected as the President of the European Commission (EC) on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to hold the position. 

Leyen was elected after her nomination was approved by 383 votes in a secret ballot at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Leyen is a long-time ally of the incumbent German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She is also a member of the center-right Christian Democratic Union. Leyen was elected by a narrow margin of nine votes as the required number of votes was 374. Leyen has repeatedly called for a 'united and stronger Europe'. Here's one of her tweets urging her followers to act fast for a stronger and a more vocal Europe:

READ: UK Envoy Said Donald Trump Ditched Iran Deal To Spite Barack Obama: Report

Leyen bagged massive support from the voters by assuring them minimum wages and a path for a climate-neutral Europe: 

The 60-year old German Defence Minister will be moving on from her post and succeed Jean-Claude Juncker. Juncker has served as the President of the EC since 2014 and is scheduled to step down on October 31. Meanwhile, Leyen will be responsible for leading the European Union's executive body and provide political guidance to the Commission which proposes new laws and manages the EU budget. She is also responsible for enforcing EU law. 

READ: German Leader Angela Merkel Seen Shaking For 3rd Time In A Month

Leyen also spoke on gender equality during her address to the European Parliament:

She asserted that a proposal will be put forward to list violence against women in the list of EU crimes. Additionally, Leyen in a letter on Monday that was addressed to the parliament's Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats said that a new pact for migration and asylum will be proposed. The pact will establish a "new way of burden-sharing". Von der Leyer will take to the office on November 1, a day after Britain is scheduled to withdraw from the EU. Leyen has also promised a constructive approach with any new UK leader ahead of October 31 deadline. In a statement, Merkel congratulated her, saying she looked forward to "good cooperation" with von der Leyen as "a new partner" in Brussels. "After over 50 years, a German will be at the top of the European executive," the Chancellor stressed.

READ: House Condemns Donald Trump ‘racist’ Tweets In Extraordinary Rebuke