Why the motion of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen is putting Giorgia Meloni in difficulty

Article by Annalisa Girardi – Journalist, Fanpage.it

The European Parliament has begun discussion of the motion of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen . This initiative, which arose against the backdrop of the Pfizer scandal, quickly took on a completely different tone, encompassing criticism from multiple political parties of the Commission and its president. A motion of no confidence in the European Commission hasn't been voted on in years, and while von der Leyen shouldn't have any problems with the numbers, she still risks being weakened at a time when it would be crucial to demonstrate strength and unity, given the numerous open fronts, from negotiations with Donald Trump on tariffs to those for a truce in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Discussions are continuing, and the vote is scheduled for Thursday, July 10. To pass, it would need a two-thirds majority of the European Parliament, but the People's Party, the Socialists, and Renew have already announced they will vote against it. Of course, some MEPs might disregard the guidance they received and vote differently from their group—even within the majority, there have been some voices dissatisfied with von der Leyen—but basically, the Commission has the numbers.

Why a motion of no confidence was tabled against von der Leyen

Although the criticism is broad and cross-party, the no-confidence motion officially concerns Pfizergate, the Covid vaccine supply scandal. Specifically, during the most difficult months of the pandemic, when there was an immediate need for more vaccines, von der Leyen negotiated directly—including via text message—with Pfizer CEO Albert Burla for 1.8 billion doses, but then refused to make this communication public when newspapers began asking questions.

" The text was signed by Putin's friends. These are movements fueled by conspiracies and conspiracy theories, which seek to polarize our societies by flooding them with disinformation. There is a witch hunt underway, but we will not give in and will always work for European unity ," the Commission President said yesterday, speaking in the European Parliament plenary session.

Patriots attack the Commission

Several members of the Patriots group, which includes the League and which immediately announced its opposition, lashed out at the Commission in the Chamber. "You, President, acted alone, outside of the democratic framework. Europe is governed without the people's knowledge," said Fabrice Leggeri, for example. If the Patriots vote en bloc for no confidence, things will become decidedly more complicated for the ECR, the European Conservatives and Reformists, which includes the Brothers of Italy. Although the motion was presented by a Conservative—Gheorghe Piperea, of the far-right Romanian party Aur—it's unclear how the group will vote. Giorgia Meloni is president of the group: she herself maintains an excellent relationship with von der Leyen and has elected one of her trusted men, Raffaele Fitto, to this Commission.

Giorgia Meloni is in an awkward position

During the pandemic years, when she was in opposition, Meloni had repeatedly criticized the Commission's lack of transparency regarding COVID vaccine supply contracts, but since taking office, her tone has changed. And now the Prime Minister is in trouble. Also because, for the umpteenth time, her majority will vote unevenly in Europe: the League will vote to censure von der Leyen, while Forza Italia—part of the EPP, the same party as the Commission President—will obviously support her.

If Meloni were to instruct her colleagues to vote in favor of the motion, she would jeopardize her relationship with von der Leyen. Moreover, if the motion were to pass, it would also bring down one of her own commissioners. This, incidentally, would also happen during the days when Meloni and von der Leyen will be together in Rome for the conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine. If, however, she were to decide to support the Commission president, she would expose herself to criticism of inconsistency from the right.

Brothers of Italy hasn't yet made a decision. As for the numbers, it makes little difference; von der Leyen—barring any last-minute surprises—isn't really at risk of losing her job. But this motion has profound political significance and reflects discontent that has been brewing for months. And which, sooner or later, risks erupting.