European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has survived her fourth motion of censure.
Only a limited amount of MEPs backed the motion today tabled by French National Rally leader Jordan Bardella.
He had brought up the motion in light of the divisive European Union-Mercosur deal, which many MEPs oppose.
The French politician hoped to bring down von der Leyen over the division on the trade deal, but most rallied behind her. That was despite a vote yesterday aiming to freeze the deal by bringing it to court for an opinion on its compatibility with EU treaties.
Of a total of 565 MEPs, the motion today was rejected by 165 votes in favour and 390 against, with 10 abstentions.
This was far removed from the necessary 361 votes needed for it to pass.
According to the European Parliament’s rules of procedure, a motion of censure in respect of the EC may be submitted to the President by one 10th of the component members of the EP – currently 72 MEPs.
The vote must take place by roll call and requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.
Von der Leyen was not present for the vote, instead attending the World Economic Forum in Davos. She was represented by Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in the plenary.
Despite a majority supporting von der Leyen, her European People’s Party (EPP) group demanded iron discipline and a full backing.
On January 20, EPP President Manfred Weber passed a resolution providing for the removal of all parliamentary privileges for six months for deputies who dared to vote against the EC and its leader.
Abstention or even absence “without appropriate reason” during the election would trigger the same sanction, resulting in a ban on speaking on behalf of the group in plenary sessions; the impossibility of being appointed rapporteur or chief negotiator for specific laws; and exclusion from negotiations.
The resolution targeted MEPs from countries opposing the Mercosur deal.
French group leader of the centre-right Les Républicains, François-Xavier Bellamy, was a specific target as he backed a failed motion forwarded by the Right in October last year.
The French saw their delegation reduced to four, as MEP Laurent Castillot decided to switch groups and join the Patriots for Europe.
Of the EPP group, only the Dutch Jessika Van Leeuwen voted in favour of the motion. She is part of the Dutch Farmer-Citizen Movement.
