European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has successfully navigated a rare confidence vote in the European Parliament, underscoring ongoing tensions within the EU's political landscape. The vote, initiated by Romanian far-right MEP Gheorghe Piperea, accused von der Leyen of lacking transparency, particularly concerning text messages exchanged with Pfizer's CEO during Covid-19 vaccine negotiations. Despite the controversy, von der Leyen emerged victorious, with 360 MEPs voting against the motion, 175 in favor, and 18 abstaining.

Background and Vote Dynamics

The confidence vote, a rare occurrence in the European Parliament, required a two-thirds majority of 480 votes to pass. However, it fell significantly short, reflecting von der Leyen's continued support from key political groups. The European People's Party (EPP), Socialists & Democrats (S&D), and other centrist and left-wing factions played crucial roles in her survival. Notably, the S&D's decision to vote against the motion, rather than abstain, was pivotal, as they expressed concerns over dismantling the Commission during a geopolitical crisis.

Allegations and Political Tensions

The motion of censure, driven by Piperea and supported by far-right groups like Patriots for Europe and European of Sovereign Nations, criticized von der Leyen's handling of the so-called "Pfizergate" and other governance issues. It also highlighted dissatisfaction with her perceived rightward drift, as her EPP has occasionally aligned with far-right parties on key issues. Von der Leyen dismissed the accusations as baseless, labeling her accusers as "conspiracy theorists" and "extremists."

Calls for Change

Despite surviving the vote, von der Leyen faces mounting pressure to address EU governance concerns and reverse alliances with far-right factions. Iratxe García Pérez, leader of the S&D, emphasized the need for the Commission to focus on social justice, economic growth, and green transition, urging von der Leyen to reaffirm her commitment to these priorities.