Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission after a secret vote by members of the European Parliament.
In Thursday’s vote in Strasbourg, she received the support of 401 MEPs – 41 more than she needed.
Ms von der Leyen of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) was first elected in 2019.
She will now run the EU for another five years.
“As you can imagine, this is a very emotional and special moment for me,” she said after the vote, praising the result as a sign of strong confidence.
Speaking to reporters, she added that the most important thing for Europe was to defend democracy “under attack from within and from without.”
Her comments echoed a speech to MEPs earlier on Thursday in which she spoke out against what she called “demagogues and extremists” who “undermined our European way of life” and pledged to work with members of the parliament. “All democratic forces” cooperate.
Before the vote, Ms. von der Leyen also said she would support European defense by increasing military spending and commit to sticking to climate targets.
“The last five years have proven what we can do together. Let’s do it again. Let’s make choices of strength,” she said.
A summit of EU leaders last month approved Ms von der Leyen’s nomination, although not everyone supported her.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz immediately praised her re-election, saying it was “a clear sign of our ability to act in the EU, especially in difficult times”. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schof said it was a good thing that Europe “can rely on your knowledge, experience and leadership in this time of huge challenges.”
Outside the EU, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he looked forward to “working closely” with Ms von der Leyen.
Two other key EU posts will be held later this year by Portugal’s former Socialist Prime Minister António Costa, who will lead the European Council representing the 27 EU governments; Estonia’s Kaja Karas Kallas has resigned as prime minister to become EU foreign policy chief.
Ahead of Thursday’s vote, Ms Meloni had managed to win the support of her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats, the liberal Ennahda party and the Greens, but not all party members backed her.
She acknowledged the Greens’ important role in securing a majority and said she was “extremely grateful” for their support.
Ms von der Leyen was opposed by 284 MEPs.
Far-right groups, including the largest and newly formed European Patriot party, strongly oppose her winning a second term.
Members of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Fraternal Order of Italy (FdI) party have revealed they do not support Ms von der Leyen.
FdI MEP Nicola Procaccini said: “A vote for her would mean going against our principles.”
Ms Meloni, who at times appeared close to Ms von der Leyen, has become increasingly distant towards her in recent weeks.
In June, she expressed displeasure at the exclusion of her right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group from EU leaders’ discussions on who should get the EU’s top job.
She later abstained from the vote on Ms von der Leyen’s nomination.
The committee president did not respond directly when reporters asked about the loss of support among Meloni’s MEPs.
However, she said the results showed that she was right to focus on “tying democratic forces together” and offer to work with “all those who are pro-European, pro-Ukrainian and pro-law.”
Addressing the prospect of Donald Trump winning the US presidential election in November, Ms von der Leyen said there was a need to reduce the EU’s “dependence”, which could lead to a White House that is less friendly to Europe.
“We will work with friends and allies, but … we are also building our own strength,” she said.
