Summary:
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has dismissed the efforts by members of the European Parliament to oust her, calling her critics ‘conspiracy theorists’ and accusing them of being influenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The no-confidence motion, tabled by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea, has sparked intense debate on the governance and direction of the EU. Von der Leyen has defended her leadership, asserting that the criticism is fueled by adversaries seeking to undermine public confidence in the EU. She called on pro-Europeans and pro-democracy forces to support her agenda, emphasizing the need for unity to maintain the EU’s foreign policy strength. Meanwhile, Russian officials have accused the EU of using fear tactics, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dubbing von der Ley, who is German, a ‘fuhrer’ for pushing a multi-billion euro militarization program. The no-confidence resolution is set for a vote following recent accusations of EU interference in member states’ internal affairs. Critics of von der Leyen’s leadership have also pointed to her handling of the EU’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the lack of transparency in vaccine procurement agreements. The motion has further highlighted political tensions within the EU, with some members questioning the Commission’s approach to governance and its impact on national sovereignty.