Europe

Von der Leyen Survives Historic Dual No-Confidence Votes

Published OCT 9 2025

Story

Above: Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, on Oct. 9, 2025. Image credit: Omar Havana/Getty Images

The Facts

European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen survived two no-confidence votes on Thursday. The motions were defeated in the European Parliament by 378-179 and 383-133, respectively.
Politico
AA
European Conservative
The motions were filed by Patriots for Europe and The Left groups, marking the first time two no-confidence motions were launched simultaneously in the European Parliament's history.
Yenisafak
EuroNews
Both political groups criticized von der Leyen's trade agreements with the U.S. and the Mercosur bloc, with concerns about alleged unfavorable terms for European exporters and potential impacts on farmers.
EuroNews
Brusselstimes
The Patriots for Europe group accused the EC of failing to address migration issues and abandoning farmers through environmental policies, while The Left cited alleged inadequate inaction on Gaza and the climate.
The Associated Press
AA
On the day of the vote, von der Leyen claimed "the way forward is through partnerships... based on shared interests and respect for sovereignty." The commissioner has now faced three no-confidence votes in one year since beginning her second term, the first to do so in more than a decade.
Independent
EuroNews
Ursula von der Leyen on X
According to Ipsos polling, as of August 2025, 23% of those surveyed from Sweden, Poland, Croatia, Italy, Spain and France had a positive perception of von der Leyen, compared to 36% who had a negative opinion and 27% who neither held a positive nor negative opinion.
ipsos

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Von der Leyen's victory against dual no-confidence motions demonstrates her strong centrist coalition and political resilience. The overwhelming rejection of extremist challenges from both flanks proves mainstream European lawmakers recognize the dangers of destabilizing EU leadership during critical times. This historic defense against unprecedented simultaneous attacks solidifies her mandate and exposes the weakness of fringe opposition groups.

Ursula von der Leyen on X

Euractiv

Narrative B

The comfortable survival masks deeper institutional problems as von der Leyen faces mounting criticism over lopsided trade deals and policy failures. Recent polling shows 52% view the EU-U.S. agreement as a humiliation for Europe, while repeated no-confidence votes signal growing polarization. Her mandate remains hamstrung by increasing dissatisfaction across the political spectrum despite centrist protection.

European Conservative

Libération