EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, second left, walks ahead of the laying flowers at the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 24, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

BUCHAREST / BRUSSELS - The European Union's leading political umbrella group, the center-right European People's Party (EPP), is set to back European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday for a second term running the bloc's powerful executive.

A former German defense minister, von der Leyen steered the European Commission over the last five years through the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's 2022 conflict with Ukraine and a related energy crunch in Europe.

ALSO READ: Von der Leyen makes bid for 2nd EU term

The first woman ever to hold the influential job, she saw Britain out of the bloc, put into law more ambitious climate and environment policies, and oversaw new joint EU spending on energy, health and post-pandemic economic recovery.

If reappointed by leaders of the EU's 27 member countries, she will have another term charting the bloc's policies on everything from big tech and sanctions against Russia.

EPP delegates cast votes from 0815 GMT with results due from 1015. Von der Leyen needs an absolute majority to win, something the head of the EPP said on Wednesday was bound to happen

Currently seen as a clear favorite for the job, von der Leyen would begin a new term as Europe looks to strengthen its defense and security while Russia wages war on its borders and Donald Trump eyes a return to the White House.

Von der Leyen is the only candidate in the EPP vote on Thursday, which marks a stepping stone towards what seems like her likely reappointment.

READ MORE: Investigations likely as Big Tech scrambles to meet EU rules

EPP delegates cast votes from 0815 GMT with results due from 1015. Von der Leyen needs an absolute majority to win, something the head of the EPP said on Wednesday was bound to happen.

"We stand behind Ursula von der Leyen," said Manfred Weber.

"Europe is tested in this moment of time. We are facing a lot of challenges," he said. "We vote against extremists and please vote for the serious center, the biggest party, the European People's Party."

READ MORE: Ukraine: Ready to extend gas transit from Russia at EU request

Despite a rise in far-right and populist parties in the bloc, the EPP has kept a clear lead among other political groups ahead of the June European Parliament election, according to opinion polls.

The biggest hurdle for von der Leyen to win a second term might be clearing a vote in the new European Parliament, where eurosceptics are expected to win more seats. That might force the Commission head to seek votes beyond the broad traditional political center, possibly at the price of specific policies.