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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has survived a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament, defeating an attempt by far-right MEPs to oust her and her team
• The motion, requiring 357 votes to pass, garnered only 175 in favour, with 360 against and 18 abstentions
• Despite maintaining support from the European People’s Party, Socialists, Renew liberals, and Greens, the vote highlighted growing dissent among her traditional allies
🔭 The context: This was the first no-confidence attempt against a Commission president since 2014, reflecting mounting criticism of von der Leyen’s leadership as she seeks a second term
• Her perceived shift to the right and decisions to scale back parts of the EU Green Deal have strained relations with the Socialists and liberals, who initially threatened to abstain before securing concessions
• The vote also comes ahead of the Commission’s presentation of the EU’s long-term budget, a flashpoint in the negotiations
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The motion underscored tensions over the EU’s climate ambitions, particularly concerns about the weakening of Green Deal commitments under von der Leyen
• The promised inclusion of the European Social Fund in the budget may safeguard social resilience measures, but critics remain wary of further compromises on climate and social policy
• Such political instability risks delaying or diluting critical sustainability initiatives in the EU
⏭️ What's next: Von der Leyen remains in office but faces a fractured coalition and renewed scrutiny of her policy direction
• The Commission is expected to present its long-term budget next week, a key test of her ability to reconcile climate, social, and fiscal priorities while maintaining political support
• Further censure motions are anticipated from right-wing opponents, raising the stakes for her leadership heading into the autumn
💬 One quote: “Many are determined that this will be the absolute last chance,” — Parliament Vice President Katarina Barley of the Socialists and Democrats, signalling waning patience with von der Leyen’s compromises
📈 One stat: Only 553 of 720 MEPs cast ballots in the vote — with 360 opposing the motion and just 175 supporting it, well short of the 357 needed to unseat her
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