European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is confronting two no-confidence votes this week from Patriots for Europe and The Left groups. The European Parliament will debate the motions jointly on Monday at 5 p.m. Central European Summer Time, but voting occurs separately on Thursday at noon. Both groups criticized the European Union-United States trade agreement that requires 750 billion euros for American energy purchases and 600 billion euros in market investments.
The motions face certain defeat because three centrist parties support von der Leyen. The European People's Party, Socialists and Democrats, and Renew Europe liberals control sufficient votes to block her removal. Patriots for Europe objects to migration policies and environmental initiatives, while The Left condemns climate crisis responses and Gaza policy. A recent poll found that 52 percent of respondents consider the trade deal humiliating for Europe.
Von der Leyen survived a July confidence vote with 360 opposing dismissal and 175 supporting removal. The repeated challenges reflect political divisions during her second term.
The motions face certain defeat because three centrist parties support von der Leyen. The European People's Party, Socialists and Democrats, and Renew Europe liberals control sufficient votes to block her removal. Patriots for Europe objects to migration policies and environmental initiatives, while The Left condemns climate crisis responses and Gaza policy. A recent poll found that 52 percent of respondents consider the trade deal humiliating for Europe.
Von der Leyen survived a July confidence vote with 360 opposing dismissal and 175 supporting removal. The repeated challenges reflect political divisions during her second term.
