The close vote of 260-238 signaled the assembly's unhappiness with the way EU leaders chose Jacques Santer as a compromise after Britain vetoed an earlier candidate.
The narrowness of the balloting could hurt Santer's effectiveness in leading the executive agency, the European Commission, over the next five years. Santer would replace Jacques Delors, whose term will expire in January.
A simple majority of the 567-seat assembly was required to approve his nomination.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.