Jean-Claude Juncker was elected European Commission President in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Of the 729 MEPs that took part in the vote, 422 voted in favor, 250 voted against him, 47 abstained and 10 votes were void.

President Martin Schulz described the vote as “historic” and stressed that Jean-Claude Juncker has received a strong mandate from the European Parliament.

In July 2004, José Manuel Barroso was elected with 413 votes in favor, 251 against and 44 abstentions of the 732 MEPs that took part, while in September 2009 he was re-elected with 382 votes in favor, 219 against and 117 abstentions of the 736 present MEPs.

Jean – Claude Juncker will choose the commissioners among the candidates proposed by the Member States. The list of commissioners will then be submitted for approval (by qualified majority) first to the Council of Ministers and then to the Parliament.

Mr Juncker will officially assume office as the new head of the European Commission -replacing Jose Manuel Barroso – on November 1, 2014.