The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, is facing a motion of no confidence in the European Parliament. The initiative was confirmed Wednesday evening by the Romanian Member of the European Parliament and originator of the motion, affiliated with the right-wing populist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.
The motion, which calls for the resignation of the entire Commission, would require a two-thirds majority of the 720 Members of the European Parliament.
Parliament President Roberta Metsola informed parliamentary groups of the motion’s submission, which has garnered the support of 79 MEPs, meeting the minimum threshold of ten percent of the Parliament’s membership. The MEPs are citing alleged mismanagement by von der Leyen during the COVID-19 crisis as the basis for their concerns.
Two deadlines are now in effect. A 24-hour period must pass before a vote on the motion can take place. However, a decision on the motion of no confidence must be reached within a maximum of 72 hours.
While no motion of no confidence against the EU Commission has ever been successful, a similar vote in 1999 resulted in such significant public pressure that the Commission, under President Jacques Santer, resigned voluntarily.
