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13h ago

EU Lawmakers Prepare to Repel von der Leyen’s Rare No-Confidence Bid

Von der Leyen dismissed Piperea’s allegations as extremist conspiracies in Strasbourg, with centrist blocs pledging unified opposition to the motion.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa and Moldovan President Maia Sandu at the first Moldova-EU summit in Chisinau, Moldova July 4, 2025. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a media conference at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
08 July 2025, France, Straßburg: Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), President of the European Commission, stands in the European Parliament building and speaks. The plenary session week begins with a debate on a vote of no confidence in the EU Commission. The vote is scheduled for Thursday. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa (Photo by Philipp von Ditfurth/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Unhappiness over Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership will surface during the debate

Overview

  • The European Parliament is set to vote on the censure motion on July 10, requiring a two-thirds majority to unseat the Commission president.
  • Romanian far-right MEP Gheorghe Piperea sponsored the motion, citing opaque text exchanges with Pfizer’s CEO, alleged misuse of EU funds and election meddling.
  • Leaders of the European People’s Party and other centrist groups have vowed to reject the motion, virtually guaranteeing von der Leyen’s survival.
  • Monday’s debate laid bare fractures in von der Leyen’s coalition over informal alliances with hard-right factions on migration and climate policies.
  • The unprecedented challenge underscores wider questions about her leadership style and accountability after an EU court ruled against withholding her Pfizer text messages.