European Union lawmakers are holding a no-confidence vote today against EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is at the forefront of calls for her removal.
This vote, the first of its kind in the European Parliament in over a decade, was initiated by far-right lawmakers. It requires a two-thirds majority to pass. Von der Leyen could be forced to resign if she loses, though her victory is almost guaranteed as most political groups have indicated they will vote against the motion. She is not expected to attend the vote taking place in Strasbourg, France.
The motion levels a multitude of accusations against von der Leyen, including private messages with the head of Pfizer (a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer), alleged misuse of EU funds, and interference in elections in Germany and Romania.
Orbán’s Criticism and Broader Implications
Orbán stated in a Facebook post that the vote “will be a moment of truth, on one side will be the imperialist elite of Brussels, on the other patriots. It is essential to make a choice.” He added, “Madam President, the essence of your leadership is responsibility. It’s time to leave!”
The EU chief has frequently clashed with Orbán over his actions in Budapest, which are seen as undermining democracy. Consequently, the European Commission has frozen Hungary’s access to billions of euros in EU funds.
This no-confidence vote has opened the door for significant criticism of von der Leyen – who led the EU’s initiative to secure vaccines for nearly 450 million citizens during the pandemic – but also for her European People’s Party, which is the largest political group in the Parliament.
