- October 7, 2025
- 12:19 pm
- World News
The European Parliament has once again found itself in the spotlight due to the rare use of its right to express no confidence in the European Commission. Over the past 67 years, this has happened only eight times, and none of the votes have been successful. However, 2025 marked the beginning of a new era.
Mechanism of No Confidence
Dismissing the European Commission is no easy task. It requires two-thirds of the present members to support the vote of no confidence. This requires a minimum of 361 votes out of a possible 720. Even if supporters of the dismissal gather the necessary number of votes, opponents can simply vote “against” or “abstain,” which raises the threshold for a decision.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, can count on the support of key factions such as the European People’s Party and the Social Democrats. Together they form a significant majority, providing her with a certain stability.
Political Contradictions
On October 9, the European Parliament will consider two votes of no confidence. Their initiators represent opposing political poles: the far-left and the far-right. However, there is no unity between them. Manon Aubry, a representative of the far-left, has already stated that she will not support the far-right “Patriots for Europe” initiative.
Jordan Bardella, leader of the “Patriots,” does not rule out the possibility of supporting the “Left” vote if their own initiative fails. But even the joint efforts of radical parties are unlikely to lead to the commission’s dismissal.
Accusations and Responses
Ursula von der Leyen is accused of non-transparent trade agreements and environmental policies that critics say reduce Europe’s competitiveness. The “Patriots” also criticize her for migration policy, while the “Left” point to social issues and the situation in Gaza.
Speaking in the European Parliament, von der Leyen emphasized that disagreements within the EU play into Putin’s hands. She called for unity, noting that Europe should not succumb to provocations.
Conclusion
The upcoming vote will be another test for Ursula von der Leyen. Despite frequent attempts to express no confidence, her position remains strong thanks to the support of key factions. However, political tension in the European Parliament indicates the presence of underlying issues that require attention.
