EU Prez Ursula von der Leyen Survives No-Confidence Vote
In a significant development, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen has successfully survived a no-confidence vote tabled by a far-right faction in the European Parliament. The vote, which was held on Wednesday, saw von der Leyen secure a narrow majority, with 360 parliamentarians backing her, while 18 abstained from voting and 175 voted against her.
The no-confidence motion was initiated by Gheorghe Piperea, a Romanian MEP, who raised concerns over the lack of transparency in negotiating large EU contracts for COVID-19 vaccines. Piperea’s motion accused von der Leyen of failing to provide adequate information to the European Parliament on the vaccine contracts, which he claimed was a breach of parliamentary procedure.
However, von der Leyen’s supporters argued that the motion was motivated by political opportunism and a lack of understanding of the complex negotiations involved in securing COVID-19 vaccines for the EU’s population. They also pointed out that the EU had secured a significant number of vaccines for its citizens, and that the vaccine rollout had been successful in preventing a massive loss of life in the EU.
The no-confidence vote was seen as a test of von der Leyen’s leadership and her ability to navigate the complex politics of the EU. Von der Leyen, who has been in office since December 2019, has faced criticism from some quarters over her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including her decision to delay the vaccine rollout in some member states.
Despite the criticism, von der Leyen has maintained a strong mandate among EU leaders and has been praised for her efforts to coordinate the EU’s response to the pandemic. She has also been a vocal advocate for the EU’s values and principles, including the importance of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
The no-confidence vote was not the only challenge facing von der Leyen this week. The EU is also grappling with a number of other pressing issues, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the economic fallout from the pandemic, and the ongoing Brexit negotiations with the UK.
In a statement following the vote, von der Leyen thanked the European Parliament for its trust and said that she would continue to work tirelessly to serve the EU and its citizens. “I want to thank the European Parliament for its trust in me,” she said. “I will continue to work tirelessly to serve the EU and its citizens, and to promote the values and principles that we hold dear.”
The outcome of the no-confidence vote is a significant boost for von der Leyen and the EU, and is likely to have a positive impact on the EU’s ability to respond to the ongoing challenges it faces. It also sends a clear message to the EU’s critics that the institution is capable of adapting to changing circumstances and that it is committed to upholding its values and principles.
In conclusion, the no-confidence vote against EU President Ursula von der Leyen was a significant event in the world of European politics. While it was a close-run thing, von der Leyen’s supporters ultimately prevailed, and she has emerged from the vote with her authority intact. As the EU continues to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that von der Leyen will be a key player in shaping the institution’s response to the crisis.
Source:
https://amp.dw.com/en/eus-von-der-leyen-sails-through-no-confidence-vote/a-73190927
