European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces two confidence votes Thursday in the European Parliament, signalling mounting tensions within the bloc’s assembly. While the motions of censure brought by hard-left and far-right groups are widely expected to fail, they underscore growing dissatisfaction with her leadership.
Critics accuse von der Leyen of lacking transparency and criticise her trade and environmental policies. During recent debates, left-wing and centrist lawmakers voiced concerns over her handling of key issues such as the war in Ukraine, trade relations, and climate policy, with calls for greater accountability and unity. Von der Leyen responded by defending her record and urging cohesion within the EU, highlighting the challenges posed by geopolitical instability.
Despite the criticism, her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) remains firmly behind her, and no precedent exists for a commission being ousted through a confidence vote. Nevertheless, these proceedings mark a significant test of unity for her coalition and reflect the growing fractiousness within the European Parliament.