Austrian members of the Liberal Renew Europe group say they will not support two no-confidence motions tabled against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, describing the initiatives as attempts by “extremes in the Parliament to weaken the European Union”.
Austrian Liberal MEPs Helmut Brandstätter and Anna Stürgkh, both members of Renew Europe, “will, of course, take part in the vote on Thursday” but “will not support either of the two no-confidence motions”, a spokesperson for both told Brussels Signal on October 6.
“This is not about President von der Leyen”, said the spokesperson.
“Right now, Europe needs institutional stability, competitiveness, and security, not an institutional crisis, and not by toppling the entire College,” she added.
The twin censure motions — one tabled by the Left group, the other by the right-wing Patriots for Europe alliance — are scheduled for debate on the evening of October 6. The European Parliament will then vote on both October 9.
Each motion challenges von der Leyen’s leadership of the Commission amid ongoing criticism from both ideological flanks.
As reported earlier by Brussels Signal, the assembly’s Left has refused to coordinate with rival groups on its initiative. The Patriots have confirmed they will back the Left’s motion in addition to their own.
Both moves are seen by insiders as symbolic tests of strength rather than realistic bids to bring down the Commission, given the high threshold a censure requires to pass.
Under the European Parliament’s rules, to succeed a motion of censure has to receive a two-thirds majority of votes cast. An absolute majority of members also have to vote for the motion.
This is a level of support observers say neither motion is expected to reach.
Renew Europe, the centrist Liberal group to which von der Leyen’s Austrian allies belong, says it will oppose both challenges, citing the need for continuity ahead of key legislative deadlines.
The votes follow weeks of renewed criticism of von der Leyen’s handling of portfolio appointments and coordination within the Commission.
Most mainstream parliamentary groups have signalled their intention to maintain “institutional stability” rather than risk a broader EU political crisis.
