European Commission President Von der Leyen Faces Two Censure Motions Amid Russia Criticism

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing two no-confidence votes initiated by far-left and far-right factions in the European Parliament, reflecting deepening political divisions and dissatisfaction with her leadership. Von der Leyen has accused these efforts of being part of a Russian-backed campaign aimed at sowing division within the EU, citing recent provocations from Russian President Vladimir Putin and warning against falling into this "oldest trick in the book." Despite the motions, support from centrist groups makes their success unlikely, though they underscore ongoing frustrations over her handling of key issues like trade, migration, and economic challenges. Von der Leyen advocates for unity and resilience, emphasizing the need to focus on the bigger picture amid internal tensions and external threats. Critics from the far right blame her for betraying Europe's economic and social foundations, while she maintains that these censure attempts distract from delivering results for Europeans. Overall, the votes highlight the growing paralysis and mistrust within the EU's political establishment amid external pressures and internal disagreements.