Overview
- The European Parliament rejected censure motions from far-right and hard-left groups, with 378 and 383 votes backing Ursula von der Leyen, short of the two-thirds needed to unseat her.
- EPP lawmakers are threatening to sink the Commission’s budget overhaul that would pool farm and cohesion funds under national control, prompting the Commission to set up working groups with key EPP MEPs.
- The EPP is split on the EU’s proposed 2040 emissions target, with no majority for a 90% cut, freezing internal talks until EU leaders meet on October 23 and delaying committee votes ahead of COP30.
- Parliament’s leverage has grown after 2024 rule changes that lowered the threshold to table censure motions to 72 signatures and a revised framework giving MEPs modestly increased oversight of the Commission.
- Trade remains a flashpoint as critics target the U.S. tariff arrangement and the proposed Mercosur deal, both headed for parliamentary votes with outcomes unclear.