A group of MEPs has launched a motion of censure, hoping to pressure the Commission president into resigning. Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea submitted the motion after gathering the required 72 signatures. It’s backed by MEPs from far-right and conservative groups like the ECR, Patriots for Europe, and ESN but not officially endorsed by any major party bloc. The motion is unlikely to pass.
It needs a two-thirds majority in the 720-seat Parliament. Supporters hope it will trigger political pressure and public debate that could lead to von der Leyen’s resignation.
The main trigger was the “Pfizergate” scandal. Von der Leyen refused to disclose text messages with Pfizer’s CEO during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations. A recent EU court ruling found her in breach of transparency rules. Critics also accuse her of bypassing Parliament, centralizing power, and making backroom deals with far-right governments to push through reforms especially on green and migration policies.
The Left group, which previously filed its own censure motion, is skeptical. “This feels more like a communication stunt,” one source said, citing the motion’s origins and political optics.
Von der Leyen will appear before Parliament on Monday for a debate, followed by the vote on Thursday. It’s the first time since 2014 that a Commission president has faced such a challenge.
For now, the vote is symbolic, but symbolically powerful.