Europe Right-wing motion of censure against the EU Commission fails
The fourth vote of no confidence against the EU Commission under Ursula von der Leyen has failed.
22.01.2026, 14:20
SDA
A clear majority in the European Parliament in Strasbourg rejected the motion of censure tabled by MEPs from right-wing groups because of the Commission's approach to the free trade agreement with the four Mercosur states Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Two thirds of the votes cast would have been required for the motion to succeed. 390 of the parliamentarians voted against the motion, 165 in favor. Ten abstained.
In the last three votes in July and October, Commission President von der Leyen had between 360 and 383 MEPs behind her and her team. Between 133 and 179 had expressed their censure.
This time, the motion was initiated by 110 MEPs from the far-right alliance "Patriots for Europe", the "European Conservatives and Reformers" and "Europe of Sovereign Nations" groups.
With the motion of censure, they wanted the Commission to resign over its approach to the free trade agreement with the four Mercosur states of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The opposition of national parliaments, the European Parliament and European farmers had been ignored, according to the accusation.
Criticism of the Commission for the Mercosur agreement
The agreement was signed on Saturday. On Wednesday, however, the European Parliament decided by a narrow majority to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice for a legal review of the agreements. The ratification process of the agreement with the four Mercosur states Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay could be considerably delayed while waiting for the ECJ's opinion. Theoretically, however, it could be provisionally applied beforehand if the EU Commission makes a corresponding decision. This is still open.
