Strasbourg, 9 October 2025 — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen comfortably survived two no-confidence votes on Thursday, as the European Parliament rejected censure motions brought by both far-right and far-left groups.
The Votes
- In the first motion, led by the far right, 378 lawmakers voted against and 179 in favor, with 37 abstentions.
- In the second, tabled by the far left, 383 voted against, 133 in favor, and 78 abstained.
With 720 members in the chamber, neither motion came close to the two-thirds majority required to unseat the Commission president and her team of commissioners.
Political Context
The challenges reflected growing polarization within the European Parliament, where populist factions have gained strength since the 2024 elections. Critics accused von der Leyen of mishandling trade negotiations, including a tariff deal with the United States and a proposed agreement with Mercosur, which opponents argue could harm European farmers and environmental standards.
Despite the criticism, von der Leyen’s support in Thursday’s votes was slightly stronger than in July, when 360 lawmakers backed her against a similar far-right motion. However, the numbers remain below the 401 votes she secured in 2024 when re-elected for a second term.
Von der Leyen’s Response
Following the votes, von der Leyen expressed gratitude for the backing she received:
“I deeply appreciate the strong support received today. The Commission will continue working closely with the European Parliament to tackle Europe’s challenges and deliver results for all European citizens.”
Outlook
While von der Leyen’s position remains secure, the repeated attempts to censure her highlight the fragile balance of power in the European Parliament. Analysts warn that the Commission may face increasing difficulty in building majorities for upcoming legislation, particularly on trade, climate policy, and digital regulation.
