EU Parliament's Support for von der Leyen Wavers Amidst Criticism

The tone was high as both the right and left criticized EU leader Ursula von der Leyen on Monday. The previously broad support in the parliament now seems to be faltering. "Who do you have to thank for your support?" asked the leader of the Social Democratic group, Iratxe García.

A no-confidence vote is scheduled against EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday. On Monday, a debate was held ahead of the vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, reports Politico.

In the debate, the EU leader faced harsh attacks from both the opposition and allied groups.

Socialists, liberals, and greens all criticized her leadership and her way of bypassing the parliament on important issues.

"We ask you clearly: Who are your allies in this parliament? Your real allies?" said Valérie Hayer from the Renew group, which includes Sweden's Center Party and Liberals.

"Who Do You Have to Thank for Your Support?"

The influential leader of the Social Democratic group, Iratxe García, also showed that patience as a support group for the conservative von der Leyen might be running out.

"Who do you have to thank for your support?" she asked.

García also emphasized to von der Leyen that she needs to "respect the given word" and that "if you betray it again, be sure that social democracy will lead the resistance."

After the debate, the Social Democrats said they are considering not actively voting no to the no-confidence motion against von der Leyen, but rather abstaining.

The background to the no-confidence motion involves the "Pfizergate scandal," concerning the negotiations von der Leyen had with pharmaceutical company Pfizer during the COVID pandemic to secure vaccines for the EU. She negotiated a contract worth 35 billion euros with the company.

The manner in which the negotiation was conducted has been heavily questioned.

Attacked: "Putin Puppets"

According to critics, a number of private text messages were sent between von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO, without transparency and outside the regular procurement process. In May 2025, the EU Court ruled that the EU Commission violated the transparency principle by not disclosing the texts to journalists after the incident.

Von der Leyen herself had an unusually confrontational tone during the debate, calling her critics "conspirators," "anti-vaxxers," and "Putin puppets."

She particularly singled out the initiator of the no-confidence vote, Romanian right-wing politician Gheorghe Piperea, as an "extremist."

"We can follow Mr. Piperea down his world of conspiracies, or we can call it what it is – an attempt to drive a wedge between our institutions," said von der Leyen.

Several members warned during the debate that the division in the parliament benefits Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin will like what his friends are doing here," said Christian Democratic leader Manfred Weber, also calling the Romanian and German far-right parties "Putin's puppets."