EU chief Ursula von der Leyen faced a confidence vote Thursday that, while having little chance of succeeding, has exposed frictions among her supporters and complaints about her leadership style.
European lawmakers were set to vote on the rare challenge, pushed by a far-right faction, against the European Commission president around midday (1000 GMT) in Strasbourg.
Addressing parliament this week, von der Leyen dismissed the no-confidence motion as a conspiracy theory-laden attempt to divide Europe. She categorized its supporters as “anti-vaxxers” and Russian President Vladimir “Putin apologists.” She urged lawmakers to renew confidence in her commission, arguing that European unity was critical in the face of various challenges, ranging from US trade talks to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The no-confidence motion was initiated by Romanian far-right lawmaker Gheorghe Piperea. He has accused von der Leyen of a lack of transparency regarding text messages she sent to the head of the Pfizer pharmaceutical giant during negotiations for Covid vaccines. The commission’s failure to release these messages, which are the focus of multiple court cases, has lent credence to critics who accuse its leader of centralized and opaque decision-making. This sentiment is also a growing concern among the commission chief’s traditional allies on the left and center, who have used the vote to voice their grievances.
The EU chief comfortably survived the no-confidence vote, with 360 MEPs voting against the motion, 175 in favor, and 18 abstaining.
*
Email *
Website
