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5d ago

Von der Leyen Gains Centrist Support with Budget Concessions Ahead of Thursday’s Censure Vote

Her pledge to maintain direct regional funding aims to secure wavering centrist backing ahead of the Strasbourg vote

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)
Image
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)

Overview

  • The European Parliament will vote on July 10 on a no-confidence motion after far-right MEP Gheorghe Piperea secured 72 signatures to force the debate in Strasbourg.
  • The motion accuses von der Leyen of withholding secret 2021 text messages with Pfizer’s CEO and alleges misuse of EU funds and interference in member states’ elections.
  • Von der Leyen has dismissed the motion as an extremist-driven attack, accusing its supporters of conspiracy mongering and pledging to defend European unity.
  • This week she offered to maintain direct regional funding and increase social spending in the next budget to secure support from Socialist and Liberal MEPs.
  • With her centre-right EPP allies joined by Socialists and Liberals, she is set to defeat the motion but faces intensified scrutiny over her leadership style.