BRUSSELS — A no-confidence vote is set to take place next week in the European Parliament against the European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen. This development was communicated to parliamentary leaders by President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday.
Debate over the motion will begin Monday, with a vote scheduled for Wednesday. While the outcome is mostly expected to be a formality — as many parties are opposed to the motion — it reflects rising discontent within Brussels following a series of divisive decisions made by the Commission.
If the motion were to pass, it would trigger the resignation of the entire Commission, including all 26 EU commissioners and von der Leyen herself. The impending vote highlights a growing sense of frustration among lawmakers, particularly surrounding transparency issues.
The motion was introduced by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea, who has accused von der Leyen of failing to be open about communications with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports suggest that these private discussions were crucial in finalizing a substantial vaccine procurement deal for the EU during a health crisis.
Recently, the European Union’s General Court overturned a Commission ruling that had denied a journalist access to these controversial text messages, further intensifying scrutiny on the Commission’s actions.
Piperea has also raised concerns about perceived Commission interference in Romania’s recent presidential election, claiming that nationalist candidate George Simion was undermined by the Commission’s actions in favor of pro-European Nicusor Dan.
Despite the motion’s launch by Piperea, his political group, the European Conservatives and Reformists, has distanced itself from the initiative. A spokesperson clarified that this is not a movement supported by the entire group, casting doubt on its broader backing.
For the motion of no confidence to succeed, it will require an absolute majority of at least 361 votes from the 720-member parliament. While the current Commission operates under von der Leyen’s leadership, many of the current commissioners may not retain their positions after the European elections scheduled for next year.
The unfolding political dynamics in Brussels will be closely observed, as they could set the stage for significant shifts within the EU governance structure in the near future. As lawmakers prepare for the upcoming vote, the tension between accountability and governance remains a focal point in European politics.