The European Commission has elected its next president... and for the first time in history,... it's a woman.<br />For more on this and other news from around the world, let's turn to our Hong Yoo.<br />A historic day in Brussels Give us the details<br /><br />Germany's outgoing defense minister Ursula von der Leyen was elected president of the EU Commission by the European Parliament on Tuesday evening, but it was a very tight vote.<br />Out of the 374 votes she needed to garner from a total of 751 MEPS, 383 votes were cast in her favor, 327 against with 22 abstentions.<br />Her new role requires her to provide political guidance when drafting EU laws, managing the EU's budget and enforcing EU rules.<br /><br />"The trust you placed in me is confidence you placed in Europe. Your confidence in a united and a strong Europe, from East to West, from South to North. Your confidence in a Europe that is ready to fight for the future, rather than fighting against each other. Your confidence in a Europe that will take the big challenges of our time together. The task ahead of us humbles me."<br /><br />Beginning her five-year term in November, when she takes over from Jean-Claude Junker, she will have to face challenges such as climate change, migration, and internal division.<br />Also, because Von der Leyen had such a narrow margin of victory, she may have problems passing legislation through the parliament.<br />
