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7h ago

Von der Leyen Rebukes Far-Right Censure Motion Ahead of EU Confidence Vote

She dismissed the far-right motion as extremist propaganda during a Strasbourg debate ahead of Thursday’s confidence vote supported by centrist groups.

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)
Unhappiness over Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership will surface during the debate
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen urged lawmakers to vote down the challenge and renew confidence in her European Commission team

Overview

  • The censure motion, initiated by far-right Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea, cites secret text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, alleged misuse of EU funds and election interference as grounds for a confidence vote.
  • In a heated Strasbourg debate on July 7, von der Leyen defended her COVID-19 vaccine negotiations and accused motion sponsors of spreading pro-Russian disinformation.
  • A two-thirds majority is required to unseat von der Leyen and her 27-member Commission, making a successful vote on Thursday, July 10, highly unlikely.
  • Centrist and pro-EU factions—including the European People’s Party and the Socialists and Democrats—have pledged to vote against the motion to preserve institutional stability.
  • The challenge has exposed tensions over executive transparency and von der Leyen’s informal alliances with populist groups on migration and environmental legislation.