The German defence minister, who will resign the role today to concentrate on her new career in Brussels, has vowed to block attempts to scrap the controversial Irish backstop. Ms von der Leyen, 60, took just 383 votes out of 733 cast in the secret ballot of MEPs at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Propped up by Liberal Democrat and Labour Party MEPs, she was just nine votes above the threshold of 374 out of 747 for an absolute majority.

Despite her tentative position, she is ready to do battle with Britain’s next prime minister and defend the backstop to prevent a hard border on Ireland.

Both Tory leadership contenders on Monday pledged to scrap the controversial mechanism as part of their pitches to win the keys to Downing Street.

Ms von der Leyen last night said: “The withdrawal agreement concluded with the government of the UK provides certainty.

“It protects the rights of citizens and peace and stability on the island of Ireland — these two priorities are mine too.”

Ms von der Leyen is considered by many to be a tailor made candidate to replace Jean-Claude Juncker.

She was born in Brussels, in October 1958, where her father, Ernst Albrecht, was working as the German commissioner’s right-hand man.

During her 13 years in the Belgian capital, Ms von der Leyen attended the European School in Uccle, leaving just two years before Boris Johnson joined the same institution.

She speaks German, French and English, switching between the EU’s three working languages seamlessly while delivering her final pitches for the presidency.

After finally being handed the job, she said last night: “A majority is a majority, I have always wanted to work for Europe. It is my passion.”

It’s this passion that will make her stand up for the EU’s Brexit stance – no renegotiation of Theresa May’s hated deal.

Even before her surprise nomination to become head of the Commission, Ms von der Leyen firmly supported Angela Merkel’s approach to Brexit.

She survived for 14 years in the German Chancellor’s cabinet and was once considered a candidate to replace her in the Berlin hot seat.

Ms von der Leyen has previously described Brexit as “burst bubble of hollow promises by populists”.

“They promised Britain would benefit from Brexit. The fact is that everyone loses from Brexit,” she once said.

The vocal supporter of a united states of Europe and an EU army, once claimed Brexit only reinforced the need for bloc-wide military plans.

Last February she said: “Brexit and the distanced attitude of the US President has accelerated that we build our own European defence union.”

Despite her hardline stance against Brexit, she remains open to delaying the process for “a good reason”.

She has previously warned a no-deal Brexit would be a “the most negative development” as Britain and the EU look to strike a future trade deal.

“A no-deal Brexit would be the most negative development imaginable for both sides, not to mention the issue of Ireland and Northern Ireland. All old wounds would be ripped open again,” she said in April.

Ms von der Leyen is set to takeover the European Commission on November 1, which is scheduled to be Britain’s first day outside the EU.

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