A motion of censure against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to be debated and voted on next week in Strasbourg. Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea claims he has collected 73 signatures, exceeding the one-in-ten minimum threshold required to initiate the process.
Piperea’s motion accuses von der Leyen of violating separation of power, allegedly accepting text messages from Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations. The European Court of Justice had ordered the Commission to disclose these messages, but they were rejected.
The motion also accuses the Commission of alleged misspending of post-COVID funds and promoting green policies by financing NGOs to lobby MEPs. However, these claims have been denied by the Commission.
Piperea hopes that his motion could “open a Pandora’s box” for future motions of censure, even if it doesn’t succeed. The debate and vote will take place during the July plenary session in Strasbourg if the signatures are officially confirmed.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/02/european-parliament-to-vote-next-week-on-toppling-von-der-leyens-commission