Von der Leyen survives two no-confidence motions in Parliament

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived two motions of no confidence in the European Parliament on Thursday, as lawmakers in Strasbourg rejected separate challenges from both ends of the political spectrum that sought to remove her and her college of commissioners. The votes, held after a week of heated debate, fell well short of the minimum 361 votes in favour required to force the Commission to resign.

In the first vote tabled by the Patriots for Europe group, 179 MEPs supported the motion, 378 voted against and 37 abstained. The second motion, filed by The Left, drew 133 votes in favour, 383 against and 78 abstentions. The twin challenges marked the first time two no confidence motions were launched simultaneously in the Parliament. Centrist and moderate lawmakers coalesced around von der Leyen, arguing that unseating the Commission now would risk political instability at a time when the EU must pass legislation and respond to multiple crises.

The Patriots group, led by Jordan Bardella, said its motion targeted von der Leyen’s trade policies, specifically deals with Mercosur and the United States. The Left, led by Manon Aubry, criticised what it described...