Brussels — The European Parliament confirmed Wednesday the filing of two fresh motions of no confidence against the European Commission, intensifying political pressure on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to ORF News.
Parliament’s administrative services will now determine whether the initiatives have secured sufficient signatures from lawmakers. Should they meet the threshold, the chamber could debate and vote on the motions as early as October. Although no-confidence efforts rarely succeed, they are seen as a potent signal of dissent against the EU’s top executive.
Criticism From Left and Right
The new challenges come from both ends of the political spectrum. The right-wing Patriots for Europe (PfE) group denounced von der Leyen’s climate and migration policies, accusing her of “opacity and censorship.”
The Left group, meanwhile, targeted what it called the Commission’s “disastrous customs agreement” and accused Brussels of remaining silent for too long in the face of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Von der Leyen, who has led the Commission since 2019, is already under scrutiny as she navigates migration reforms, the EU’s Green Deal, and sensitive foreign policy crises. The twin motions underscore how fragile her political footing can appear, despite her strong backing from centrist groups that form Parliament’s majority.
Parliament Targets Gaza Conflict
In parallel, lawmakers passed a legally non-binding resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The text accused Israel of obstructing humanitarian aid and causing a man-made famine in the enclave — some of Parliament’s sharpest language yet on the conflict.
The resolution also endorsed von der Leyen’s recent announcement that the EU would suspend bilateral support for Israel, a move that signaled growing European frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
For von der Leyen, the week’s developments highlight the delicate balance of leading a Commission that must manage both domestic EU policy divides and escalating geopolitical crises.
