"Politico": Votes of No Confidence Against EU Leadership Become a Recurring Political Tool

According to "Politico", votes of no confidence against EU leadership, particularly against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are becoming increasingly routine in the corridors of the European Parliament.

The newspaper explained that two new votes of no confidence were proposed this week, alongside the vote that von der Leyen survived last July, noting that these moves come from relatively marginal groups, but reflect a growing trend towards using this political tool.

The report added that no confidence is not a new procedure in the EU treaties, but legislators are becoming aware of its importance as a means of pressure on the executive leadership.
In the July vote, which came in the wake of the coronavirus vaccine purchasing scandal, the proposal failed after receiving support from only 175 members out of the 361 votes required.

The newspaper quoted a member of the European Parliament – who requested anonymity – saying that the next phase will witness "repeated votes that will be a real test of von der Leyen's ability to manage divisions within the Union".

The report noted that the most controversial issues include the trade agreement with the United States, which became associated with von der Leyen after it was signed at a golf course owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland, in addition to the EU budget and the trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc.

Members from the "Left" and **"National for Europe"** groups confirmed that they intend to submit new requests for votes of no confidence, with the possibility of coordinating their positions among themselves, which could increase political pressure on the Commission President.

Political experts believe that these votes do not pose a direct threat to von der Leyen's position, but they reflect a deepening political divide within the EU and increasing criticism of the current leadership's management of European affairs.