Merkel congratulates von der Leyen's election as new European Commission chief

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday warmly congratulated Ursula von der Leyen's election as European Commission's new president, saying she "won a new partner in Brussels.", Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"I am pleased because a confident and convincing European woman will become head of the European Commission. It will now tackle the challenges we face as the European Union with great vigor. This was made very clear in her speech today in the European Parliament," said Merkel in a statement.

Von der Leyen won a slim majority in the European Parliament on Tuesday evening, as lawmakers voted on her nomination of European Commission president by the European Council.

Von der Leyen will be the first female president of the European Commission, and after more than 50 years a German will head of the European executive body again.

"Even if I lose a long-time Minister today, I win a new partner in Brussels. Therefore, I am looking forward to good cooperation," added Merkel.

Von der Leyen announced Monday that she would resign as German defense minister on Wednesday, no matter how the result of the European Parliament vote would be.

A member of the German Christian Democratic Union, von der Leyen has held various posts in all the four terms of Merkel's chancellorship since 2005, and she is widely viewed as a close ally of Merkel.