European Parliament Nears No-Confidence Vote Against Von der Leyen Over Vaccine Transparency

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces a vote of no confidence triggered by far-right lawmakers in the European Parliament over her handling of a multi-billion-dollar Covid-19 vaccine deal with Pfizer. The controversy stems from an EU Court of Justice ruling that the Commission unlawfully withheld personal text messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during contract negotiations, rejecting the Commission's claim that the messages were lost. Romanian far-right MEP Gheorghe Piperea has gathered enough signatures to submit the motion, accusing von der Leyen of institutional overreach, lack of transparency, and democratic disregard. While the vote requires a two-thirds majority to pass and is considered unlikely to succeed, it could compel von der Leyen to make political compromises with both left and right factions in the Parliament. The vote, if it proceeded, would lead to the resignation of the entire Commission and a complex appointment process for new commissioners. Despite some support from members of von der Leyen's own European People's Party, her centrist majority coalition is expected to resist the motion, though the challenge highlights ongoing political divisions and scrutiny of her leadership.