The presidency of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenhas comfortably overcome this Thursday the two motions of censure presented against her by the group of The left and the formation of the radical right Patriots for Europe.
The German has survived both attempts at disapproval thanks to the fact that she maintains a majority support of the ‘grand coalition’ pro-European, made up of the EPP (its own political family), the European Socialists, the Renew liberals and the majority of the Greens.
The motion of censure promoted by Patriots for Europe has been defeated by 378 votes against and 179 votes in favor. For its part, that of La Izquierda has been even less successful: 133 votes in favor and 383 against.
To overthrow the Commission, a motion of censure requires a double majority: two-thirds of the votes cast and the majority of all MEPs (that is, at least 361 votes in favor).
In the previous debate held last Monday in Strasbourg, Von der Leyen accused the promoters of being puppets at the service of Vladimir Putinbut at the same time he extended his hand to all MEPs who want to work with the Commission.
“Today I want to reaffirm my commitment to work with all of you to maintain that unity: within this Parliament, between the Member States and between our institutions,” the president told the MEPs.
“The goal of this unity is not necessarily that we agree on every detail. In fact, tension and debate are an inherent and important part of the political process,” Von der Leyen maintains.
“It’s about seeing the big picture: uniting around what we have in common to deliver results for Europeans in this dangerous world“, defended the president.
Despite voting against the motions of censure, socialists, liberals and greens have warned Von der Leyen that his political credit is running out. They demand that he comply with the Government program agreed upon with them at the beginning of the legislature, and not only the EPP policies.
Despite coming from opposite ends of the political spectrum, the two motions of no confidence against Von der Leyen shared some of their argumentsin particular the criticism of the trade agreements signed by the president of the Commission with Donald Trump and with Mercosur; or the lack of transparency and accountability.
However, the rest of the reasons were different. While the Left group – to which they are attached Podemos, Sumar and Bildu– emphasized Von der Leyen’s “inaction” in Gaza, the Patriots for Europe – where he is Vox– They complained that Brussels forces governments to welcome migrants.