Mixed messaging around COVID-19 vaccines has overshadowed Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership and raised questions about the European Commission’s dedication to openness.
Next week, the European Parliament will hold a vote of no confidence against the European Commission led by President Ursula von der Leyen.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola notified the heads of political groups about the situation on Wednesday night.
Members of the European Parliament will discuss the proposal on Monday, followed by a planned vote set for Thursday.
While the vote holds mainly symbolic weight due to widespread opposition from political parties, it highlights increasing dissatisfaction within Brussels after several controversial rulings.
Vaccines for COVID-19 lie at the heart of debate.
Romanian right-leaning Member of the European Parliament Gheorghe Piperea introduced a censure resolution, accusing von der Leyen of insufficient openness about her SMS exchanges with Pfizer’s chief executive Albert Bourla amid the coronavirus outbreak.
According to The New York Times Personal interaction between von der Leyen and Bourla played a crucial role in finalizing the EU’s multi-billion-euro vaccination agreement amid the pandemic.
The The General Court of the European Union has lately overturned a ruling made by the European Commission. that had denied a New York Times Journalists' ability to access those communications.
Piperea furthermore criticized the Commission for "intervening" in Romania's presidential race, where nationalist candidate George Simion was defeated by pro-EU contender Nicușor Dan.
Nevertheless, the European Conservatives and Reformists group, of which Piperea is part, has disassociated itself from the proposal.
"This is not something initiated by our group," stated a representative from ECR.
For the motion to be approved, it needs an absolute majority—meaning at least 361 out of the total 720 votes must support it.
Should it succeed, the motion would compel the entire Commission—including its President and all 26 European Commissioners—to step down collectively.
Although the present Commission remains under von der Leyen’s leadership, after the 2024 European elections, several commissioners will be new appointees rather than individuals who held office during the COVID-19 crisis.
Edited by: Sean Sinico
Author: Louis Oelofse (contributing with AFP, dpa)