BRUSSELS — Ursula von der Leyen, the embattled President of the EU Commission, now faces the gravest political threat of her tenure as a full-scale no-confidence vote barrels through the European Parliament. The rebellion, sparked by her unapologetic support for Israel during its Gaza genocide, her hawkish Ukraine policy, and explosive transparency scandals, has fractured Brussels and pushed Europe’s ruling elite into crisis mode.
The no-confidence vote, backed by an unusual alliance of left-wing, Green, and nationalist parties, represents one of the gravest challenges yet to von der Leyen’s presidency and threatens to disrupt the EU Commission’s political momentum, according to German DW. Though the motion requires a challenging two-thirds majority to pass, even falling short of that threshold could deal a severe political blow to von der Leyen’s authority.
“It is a ‘slam dunk for transparency,’” said Dutch MEP Raquel García Hermida‑van der Walle about the EU court’s ruling, according to Politico Europe, on the Pfizer texts.
At the heart of the no-confidence vote lies von der Leyen’s controversial actions during Israel’s illegal invasion of Gaza in October 2023 followed by ethnic cleansing. Her unilateral visit to Tel Aviv, where she expressed unqualified support for Israel without prior EU-wide consultation, has provoked sustained criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Members of the Parliament have condemned this as undermining EU diplomatic neutrality and weakening collective foreign policy.
Irish MEP Clare Daly stated, “So I think, in some ways, it’s international law that’s on trial here just as much as Israel,” criticizing von der Leyen’s stance on Gaza, as Palestine Chronicle published. This criticism has deepened divisions within the European Parliament, prompting serious questions about the democratic accountability of the EU Commission’s foreign policy decisions.
Beyond Gaza, the EU Commission president’s staunch support for Ukraine, characterized by aggressive sanctions against Russia and substantial military aid, has also fueled this no-confidence vote. Critics within Parliament have accused her of circumventing democratic procedures and pushing the bloc closer to direct confrontation with Moscow, intensifying geopolitical risks for Europe.
Mounting transparency scandals have further inflamed the backlash against her leadership. Von der Leyen’s refusal to disclose communications with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding vaccine contracts has prompted an ongoing case at the European Court of Justice. Critics argue this exemplifies broader concerns about democratic oversight within the EU Commission, intensifying the call for her removal.
This political turmoil is gaining international attention, with Russia closely watching developments. Kremlin-linked media including TASS have portrayed the no-confidence vote as indicative of a deeper fragmentation within the EU, exploiting the political crisis to underscore divisions within Western alliances.
Political analysts have cautioned that even if the no-confidence vote does not achieve the required two-thirds majority, Ursula von der Leyen’s presidency could face significant challenges, potentially weakening her ability to effectively lead the EU Commission.
Ursula von der Leyen’s spokesperson affirmed the Commission’s openness to democratic debate, emphasizing its commitment to acting in the interests of European citizens.
Despite her stance, a growing number of parliamentarians perceive the no-confidence vote as a critical moment for reassessing the EU Commission’s direction. Even traditionally pro-European members have raised alarms, voicing concerns over the centralization of power and the democratic legitimacy of von der Leyen’s leadership.
Regardless of the vote’s outcome, Ursula von der Leyen’s EU Commission presidency now stands at a pivotal juncture, with long-term implications for European governance and international geopolitics.
