Von der Leyen survives two no-confidence votes in European Parliament

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has successfully fended off two attempts to remove her from office, after the European Parliament rejected no-confidence motions on October 9.

In the first vote, 378 of the 720 MEPs expressed support for von der Leyen, while 383 backed her in the second, comfortably above the threshold needed to remain in office, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The results marked a slight improvement from July, when 360 lawmakers opposed a similar motion, although still below the 401 votes she received during her re-election for a second term in July 2024.

Von der Leyen thanked supporters in a post on X, pledging that she and her team of commissioners would continue working closely with the European Parliament to address Europe’s key challenges.

The motions, tabled by far-right and left-wing groups, were largely symbolic and had little chance of achieving the two-thirds majority required to unseat the Commission President. Nevertheless, some lawmakers suggested the votes highlighted underlying unease about her leadership and could complicate parliamentary dynamics ahead.

Critics of von der Leyen’s leadership cited her approval of a trade deal with the United States and a proposed agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, which opponents argue could harm farmers and the environment.

Both deals are expected to face votes in the European Parliament in the coming months, with outcomes still uncertain.

By Aghakazim Guliyev