European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces two no-confidence motions in the European Parliament this week — challenges she is expected to overcome, yet ones that highlight the mounting tensions surrounding her leadership.
On Monday evening, von der Leyen will appear before MEPs to defend her record and reputation. While her centrist allies are likely to keep her in office for now, the political atmosphere in Brussels has grown increasingly volatile.
From upcoming EU trade deals and the seven-year budget to concerns about transparency and the bloc’s global role in an era of heightened competition, the opportunities for Parliament to judge von der Leyen’s performance are multiplying. “We will judge her based on implementation efforts, but that will not happen in October,” said René Repasi, head of Germany’s Socialist and Democrat (S&D) delegation, speaking to Politico. “She understands where Europe’s problems lie. Now she must act on her promises.”
Growing pressure and strained alliances
With European Council President António Costa playing a secondary role internationally, von der Leyen has become the EU’s most visible figure abroad — especially as she strengthens ties with U.S. President Donald Trump. At the same time, leaders in France and Germany are struggling to project power comparable to their predecessors, placing the Commission chief under greater scrutiny than ever.
Parties across the spectrum — from the S&D, the liberal Renew Europe, and the Greens, to even some within her own centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) — have expressed frustration with her leadership. While no major faction is ready to unseat her, few rule out future challenges. “We do not exclude playing the no-confidence card if necessary,” said a spokesperson for S&D leader Iratxe García, speaking anonymously to Brussels Playbook.
A new political routine
This week’s two no-confidence motions — following a similar attempt in July — come from parties at the political extremes, including the far-right Patriots and the Left group. They have drawn just 72 of the 720 signatures required for such motions, but their persistence signals a new normal: routine attempts to undermine the Commission.
While the Left says it has no plan to submit more motions for now, right-wing lawmakers have said they will “wait and see” how this week’s vote unfolds.
Even beyond these votes, von der Leyen faces a series of high-stakes political tests that could become referendums on her leadership — including transatlantic trade negotiations, the Commission’s “simplification package” aimed at cutting bureaucracy, and disagreements over the next EU budget.
Last week, the two largest parliamentary blocs signaled their readiness to block her proposed long-term budget changes, underscoring the growing fragility of her majority. “There are many other votes ahead that will test her leadership,” an EPP MEP told reporters.
Calls to raise the bar
Some in Brussels now argue the rules should change, requiring more MEP signatures to trigger a no-confidence vote. “It would be great to raise the threshold and restore dignity to the process,” said a Commission official, speaking anonymously.
However, the same official noted that the matter remains “a prerogative of Parliament” and that “frustration toward this Commission — and von der Leyen personally — is evident, as no one can predict when the political winds might shift.”
As von der Leyen navigates this increasingly fractured political landscape, she may survive the immediate challenges — but constant parliamentary unrest could make her second term one of the most turbulent in EU history.
