European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has successfully navigated a challenging confidence vote instigated by a far-right parliamentary faction. The vote, although expected, highlights underlying concerns regarding her leadership and transparency. This rare parliamentary move was the first of its kind since a similar motion was recorded over a decade ago.
To pass the motion, it required support from two-thirds of the 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), equating to 480 votes. Ultimately, only 175 MEPs endorsed the motion, while 360 voted against it and 18 abstained. The voting process was initiated by Romanian far-right MEP Gheorghe Piperea, who alleged that von der Leyen was opaque regarding text exchanges with Pfizer about Covid-19 vaccine negotiations.
In heated debates, von der Leyen dismissed the accusations as deceptive, labeling her challengers as "conspiracy theorists" and accusing them of holding extremist views. The motion received backing from factions like Patriots for Europe and the European of Sovereign Nations, but faced significant opposition, including crucial support from her own center-right European People's Party (EPP) and various left-wing groups.
Notably, the unity within the EPP has been strained, with some members voicing concerns over von der Leyen's alliances with far-right groups, particularly on migration and environmental issues. Pressures from liberal and left-wing parties have been rising, evidenced by Valérie Hayer, president of the centrist Renew Europe, who advised von der Leyen to regain control over the EPP.
Meanwhile, prior to the vote, Iratxe García, leader of the Socialists & Democrats, expressed the necessity to maintain a stable Commission during tumultuous geopolitical times, emphasizing that while their vote was in support, it came with critiques of von der Leyen’s recent policy shifts.
As the confidence vote unfolded, von der Leyen spoke at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, and following the outcome, she reinforced her commitment to EU values, stating, “Thank you, and long live Europe.” This episode underscores the ongoing tension and political dynamics within the European Parliament as the EU navigates significant challenges.
