Ursula von der Leyen survives no-confidence vote despite challenges

On July 10, 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faced a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament initiated by mostly far-right lawmakers. The motion alleged that von der Leyen and her team undermined trust in the EU through unlawful actions, specifically criticizing the Commission’s refusal to release text messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO during the COVID-19 pandemic vaccine negotiations. The motion failed, with 175 members voting in favor and 360 against, underscoring the political tensions within the Parliament. This marked the first censure motion against a Commission president since 2014, highlighting growing frustrations among lawmakers toward von der Leyen's leadership style. During the parliamentary debate, von der Leyen defended her record and rejected claims that she mishandled the pandemic response. She emphasized her commitment to ensuring equitable vaccine access across EU member states. The criticisms included concerns about transparency in decision-making and possible corruption within the Commission, spurred further by the opaqueness surrounding the contract negotiations with vaccine manufacturers. Furthermore, Romanian far-right lawmaker Gheorghe Piperea, who sponsored the motion, accused the Commission of interfering in Romania's recent presidential election, suggesting the Commission's actions led to instability in the region. Many lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction not just with the Commission's transparency, but also with von der Leyen's collaboration with far-right parties, citing a worrying trend in EU policymaking. Despite the challenges she faces, von der Leyen asserted that Europe must exhibit strength and unity in light of external pressures, including trade negotiations with the U.S. and geopolitical strains from Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Her survival of the vote, while significant, signals ongoing divisions and a need for reform within the European Commission, as various political factions continue to grapple with their relations and collaborative efforts moving forward.