In a politically charged atmosphere, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen continues to face mounting criticism just hours after her latest address, amid growing calls for her resignation from both right-wing and left-wing factions. Earlier this week, the right-wing Patriots for Europe and left-wing The Left united in their demands, submitting no-confidence motions against her leadership, reports 24brussels.
European Parliament regulations stipulate that a political group can initiate a motion of censure with 72 signatures two months following a previous vote. If this threshold isn’t met, 144 signatures are required. In light of a confidence vote held on July 10, the soonest these groups could file a new motion was at midnight on Wednesday. Consequently, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) had to remain engaged in this process late into the night, rather than indulging in celebrations at the noted Strasbourg venue, Les Aviateurs. The Patriots managed to file their no-confidence motion a mere 20 seconds after midnight, narrowly outpacing The Left.
While von der Leyen’s challenges persist, her situation is comparatively less precarious than that of French political leaders. Recently appointed French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu represents a new chapter in France’s political landscape, stirring speculation about potential high-profile figures becoming involved in politics, including stars such as Kylian Mbappé and David Guetta, the latter’s brother serving as a Member of the European Parliament.
Although von der Leyen’s engagement with music is not particularly contemporary, her past includes a single from 1978 by Die Albrecht Familie, a group linked to her family. This musical heritage includes the track titled “Wohlauf in Gottes schöne Welt” (Well in God’s beautiful world).
As the political landscape evolves, the implications of the ongoing protests against von der Leyen’s leadership will likely have ramifications on EU policy and governance. The backing for no-confidence motions illustrates broader discontent with her handling of various EU matters, raising questions about the future direction of the European Commission.
