Ursula von der Leyen Survives European Confidence Vote

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Ursula von der Leyen Survives European Confidence Vote/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defeated a no-confidence vote in the EU Parliament. Lawmakers rejected allegations of secret vaccine talks and political interference. Critics warn of her party’s alliances with far-right factions in parliament.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, front center, hosts the European leaders’ summit to discuss Ukraine, at Lancaster House, London, Sunday March 2, 2025. Front row from left, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Center row from left, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Romania’s Interim President Ilie Bolojan. Back row from left, NATO secretary General Mark Rutte, Netherlands’ Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Czech Republic’s Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)

Quick Look: Von der Leyen Confidence Vote

Outcome: Von der Leyen survives with 360-175 vote margin.
Allegations: Secret Pfizer texts, misuse of funds, election meddling.
Tensions: Rising criticism over EPP ties to far-right groups.

Ursula von der Leyen Survives EU Parliament Confidence Vote

Deep Look

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen comfortably defeated a no-confidence vote Thursday, as European Union lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected a motion that sought to oust her over allegations ranging from secret vaccine deals to political meddling.

The European Parliament voted 360-175 against the censure motion, with 18 members abstaining, during its plenary session in Strasbourg, France.

Von der Leyen, who was not present for the vote, later posted on social media:

“As external forces seek to destabilize and divide us, it is our duty to respond in line with our values. Thank you, and long live Europe.”

Allegations Spark Heated Debate

The motion alleged von der Leyen privately texted with Pfizer’s CEO during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations, misused EU funds, and interfered in elections in Germany and Romania. However, critics argued the vote was largely a political maneuver by far-right lawmakers rather than a substantive challenge to her leadership.

The European Parliament has shifted to the right after last year’s elections, fueling tensions around von der Leyen and her European People’s Party (EPP). Some centrist and left-leaning lawmakers accused the EPP of cozying up to far-right groups to secure parliamentary majorities.

“We won’t vote with the far-right and we do not support this motion. This vote was little more than a far-right PR stunt from Putin-loving populists,” said Greens group President Terry Reintke.

Yet even von der Leyen’s allies expressed concerns. Iratxe García Pérez, leader of the Socialists and Democrats bloc, said:

“Our vote doesn’t mean that we are not critical of the European Commission. The recent shifts by von der Leyen towards far-right pledges are a major cause for alarm.”

Valerie Hayer of the pro-business Renew group urged von der Leyen to “take control of her political family to put an end to alliances with the far right.”

Motion Brought by Far-Right Lawmakers

The no-confidence vote was the first against a European Commission president in more than a decade and was spearheaded by hard-right legislators.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a frequent critic of von der Leyen, described the vote as a “moment of truth,” framing it as a battle between “the imperial elite in Brussels” and nationalist forces.

Von der Leyen’s Commission has clashed repeatedly with Orbán’s government over democratic backsliding in Hungary. Billions in EU funds for Hungary remain frozen due to concerns about rule-of-law violations.

Despite the strong rhetoric, von der Leyen’s position appears secure following the decisive vote. Her leadership remains central as the EU faces challenges including the war in Ukraine, economic recovery, and tensions with far-right movements across Europe.