EP addresses skepticism towards Ursula von der Leyen; she responds: "Don’t fall for it."

STRASBOURG – Today, European Parliament members addressed the no-confidence vote against the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen. The debate highlighted concerns regarding the Commission’s stance on the Gaza conflict, trade relations with Israel, migration policies, and the trade deal reached with the US. The no-confidence motion was introduced by the Patriots for Europe and the Left groups. MEP Jordan Bardella from Patriots for Europe criticized von der Leyen’s tenure, citing a decline in the EU’s trade position. “The Mercosur agreement and the deal with the US signify this decline. You agreed to a trade capitulation under (former US President Donald) Trump, jeopardizing our interests while benefiting our competitors at the expense of our agricultural sector, jobs, and factories. Meanwhile, the budget has increased by 86 percent as our citizens face austerity,” he stated.

Manon Aubry from the Left condemned von der Leyen for prioritizing trade interests over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “You yielded to Donald Trump’s pressure, signing a one-sided trade agreement that compromises EU autonomy. Your actions have jeopardized environmental standards and exacerbated suffering due to austerity measures. You allocate resources for military purposes instead of healthcare. Sixty percent of Europeans want you to resign. Your policies only serve a privileged few,” she asserted. In response, von der Leyen emphasized the world’s precarious state, urging unity in the face of external threats and internal divisions. “We face aggression from the east and must not lose sight of our collective goals—protecting democracy, ensuring security, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs,” she remarked. She also warned against the manipulative tactics of Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning against disinformation intended to undermine the EU’s cohesion. “We must not fall into this trap,” she emphasized.

This follows a previous no-confidence vote in July, when a similar proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by MEPs. In that vote, 360 members opposed the motion, while 175 supported it, and 18 abstained. With 553 out of 720 MEPs participating, 360 votes were necessary for the motion to pass. If von der Leyen were to lose MEP support this time, it would result in the resignation of the entire European Commission, potentially leading to an institutional crisis within the EU. The vote on the latest no-confidence motion is scheduled for Thursday (October 6).