European Parliament Faces No-Confidence Vote Against Von Der Leyen Amid Transparency Concerns

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing a rare no-confidence vote in the European Parliament, initiated primarily by far-right members accusing her of lack of transparency, notably over undisclosed communications with Pfizer's CEO during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations. While von der Leyen is expected to survive the vote due to insufficient support from major parties such as the European People's Party (EPP), Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe, and Greens/EFA, these groups have criticized her leadership style for being overly centralized, opaque, and for policy backsliding, particularly on environmental issues like the Green Deal. The EPP strongly supports von der Leyen and has condemned the motion as a divisive tactic benefiting Russian interests, while centrist and left-leaning parties have expressed dissatisfaction without committing to voting against the motion, with some considering abstention. The vote and preceding debate reflect growing tensions within the EU over von der Leyen's alliances and governance approach, with traditional allies uneasy about perceived cooperation with far-right factions and a lack of clarity on key budgetary and policy commitments. The controversy, dubbed 'Pfizergate,' has intensified scrutiny of EU transparency and accountability during a critical period. Ultimately, although the motion is unlikely to pass, it signals significant political unease and challenges to von der Leyen's authority within the European Parliament.