COVID-19

EU Parliament to Vote on Von der Leyen No-Confidence Motion

Published JUL 2 2025

Story

Above: European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen at a press conference at the Pfizer pharmaceutical plant in Puurs, visiting Covid-19 vaccine production site of Pfizer-BioNTech on April 23, 2021. Image credit: Benoit Doppagne/Contributor/Belga Mag/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea from the conservative AUR party has collected 73-74 signatures for a no-confidence motion against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, surpassing the required 72-signature threshold to initiate the process.
EuroNews
European Conservative
The motion stems primarily from the "Pfizergate" scandal, where von der Leyen declined to disclose text messages exchanged with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations worth approximately €35 billion for 1.8 billion doses.
Unherd
Caliber.az
The European General Court ruled in May that the European Commission acted unlawfully by rejecting requests for the text messages without providing "credible" explanations, finding evidence suggesting the messages existed.
Aa
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Signatures supporting the motion came from multiple right-wing groups: 32 from the European Conservatives and Reformists, 26 from Europe of Sovereign Nations, 6 from Patriots for Europe, plus non-attached MEPs and one from von der Leyen's own EPP.
Euractiv
EuroNews
The motion requires a two-thirds majority of votes cast and an absolute majority of all 720 MEPs to succeed, making passage unlikely given von der Leyen's centrist coalition support from EPP, Socialists & Democrats, and Renew.
Caliber.az
European Conservative
Parliamentary sources indicate the debate could occur early next week with voting on Thursday, though the motion faces procedural validation and any signing MEP can withdraw support at any time before the vote.
Politico
www.ft.com

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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CRIT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This motion represents a crucial democratic accountability measure against von der Leyen's pattern of authoritarian overreach and transparency violations. The Pfizergate scandal exemplifies her systematic disregard for EU court rulings and democratic oversight, while her recent attempts to bypass Parliament on major decisions like the €150 billion SAFE rearmament scheme demonstrate contempt for democratic institutions.

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Jacobin

Narrative B

The no-confidence motion is a far-right political stunt with virtually no chance of success, driven by extremist groups seeking to undermine EU stability. Von der Leyen maintains strong support from the centrist majority that elected her, and even critics acknowledge the motion's slim prospects while the Commission continues delivering on key policy priorities.

Politico

EuroNews