European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen faced attempts to remove her for the second time in three months after far-right and left-wing groups in the European Parliament (EP) tabled a no-confidence vote on Monday, Reuters reported.
Although the no-confidence vote has little chance of reaching the two-thirds majority needed for removal in a vote on Thursday, it could shake her leadership and destabilize the European assembly, whose support is needed to pass legislation.
The proposals were put forward on Monday by the far-right and far-left in France - Jordan Bardella, president of the National Assembly, and Manon Aubry of "France Invincible", who have repeatedly said it is time for Von der Leyen to leave.
Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs that the world is in the most uncertain and dangerous state in decades. She recalled the violations of EU airspace linked to Russia, as well as statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who blames Europe for his war in Ukraine.
"He does not hide his joy and support for all his obedient friends in Europe who do his job for him. This is a trap and we simply cannot fall into it," she said.
We recall that in July she survived a vote of no confidence brought by mostly far-right MEPs.
However, parties have realised that the rarely used votes of no confidence are easy to trigger after the 2024 elections boosted the far right to over 100 lawmakers, with only 72 needed to support one.
The two votes of no confidence differ - the right complains of "wrong" green policies and failure to tackle illegal migration, while the left highlights the EU's inaction on Gaza.
However, both sides agree that Von der Leyen has accepted an unbalanced tariff deal with the United States and that the Commission's proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal is a threat to farmers and the environment.
Both the US tariff agreement and the Mercosur agreement will be put to a vote in the EP in the coming months, with the results unclear.