Green EU lawmakers oppose von der Leyen's bid for Commission chief

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, who has been nominated as European Commission President, briefs the media after the Conference of Presidents of European Parliament's party blocs in Brussels, Belgium, July 10, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Germany's Ursula von der Leyen made her pitch to European Union lawmakers on Wednesday to become the next head of the bloc's executive, but her promises to fight climate change were not enough for Green deputies who vowed to vote against her.

The conservative German defence minister may still win support of the full parliament next week, but rejection by the Greens leaves her relying more on nationalists in eastern Europe who like her tough stance on Russia.