European parliament reaches deal on approving von der Leyen’s top team

European Commission should take office on 1 December after centre-right EPP and Socialists forge compromise

European parliament leaders have reached a deal to approve Ursula von der Leyen's top team, paving the way for the new European Commission to take office on 1 December.

Leaders of the centre-right European People's party (EPP), the Socialists and the centrist Renew group - who between them have 56% of the parliament's 720 seats - forged a compromise on Wednesday intended to ensure that von der Leyen's nominees would be approved in a vote next week.