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06.10.2025.

13:45

"The Queen of Europe" strikes back — again

For the second time in less than three months, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is returning to the European Parliament to defend herself against a motion of no confidence.

Izvor: Beta

"The Queen of Europe" strikes back — again
SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP / Profimedia

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The motion of no confidence was submitted by opposition members of the European Parliament, accusing her of a range of issues — from a lack of transparency to failures related to the transatlantic trade agreement.

The procedure begins today in Parliament, and votes on two motions of no confidence — one from Patriots for Europe and the other from The Left — will take place on Thursday.

Von der Leyen will have the opportunity today to respond to criticism and will bring the entire College of Commissioners as a show of support, according to the Brussels-based portal Politico.

The vote is not expected to succeed, as the German politician is backed by groups from her coalition — the European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe, as well as the Greens.

Although the motions are unlikely to pass, they underscore that the Commission President is facing mounting opposition — not only from the far right and far left but also from members within her centrist coalition.

Politico writes that there is no doubt von der Leyen is now a much more seasoned politician than when she first took office as Commission President in 2019. During the previous no-confidence vote in July, she demonstrated that the “Queen of Europe” can confront her critics, respond to accusations, and “hit back.”

However, the challenge she now faces is that motions of no confidence are becoming almost routine, as MEPs have realized that it only takes 72 out of 720 signatures to initiate one. Moreover, criticism of von der Leyen no longer comes solely from fringe politicians with little real power to cause her political damage.

 
 

Criticism of Ursula von der Leyen is expected to grow louder, and although the two new motions of no confidence are unlikely to gain support from centrist parties, they could lay the groundwork for disputes among the Commission President’s coalition partners over key policy issues, reports the Brussels-based portal.

The challenges ahead are underscored by the fact that the two largest political groups in Parliament — the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) — have signaled that they are prepared to “bring down” the proposed long-term EU budget.

“There are many more votes ahead that will test her leadership,” an EPP member of the European Parliament told Politico on condition of anonymity.

At the same time, former Commission Vice President Thierry Breton told Politico that the EU now has a Commission that is “significantly weakened.”

“This is the first time in a long period that the Commission has faced so many no-confidence votes. You can’t just call that bad luck,” Breton said.

He warned that the “increasing weakness” of the European Commission “creates room for the extremes to take advantage of it.”

“We are in a difficult, existential moment, surrounded by forces that are hostile to the European project — whether it’s Vladimir Putin in the East or, regrettably, the United States,” the former commissioner stated.

Breton also pointed out a particularly troubling sign — the fact that the Commission does not have full support from the party of its own president, “which should be its main political ally,” when it comes to the EU’s multiannual budget.

 
 
 

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