Mercosur, von der Leyen faces new motion of censure, fourth since beginning her term.

Brussels – “No” to the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, and “no” to those who wanted and negotiated it, namely Ursula von der Leyen and her Commission. The sovereignist group Patriots for Europe says “enough is enough!” and brings a new motion of no confidence against the EU executive to the chamber, the fourth since the beginning of the legislative term. Von der Leyen’s team has already survived the July vote of no confidence and two votes in October. 

The new motion of no confidence is scheduled for Thursday, 22 January, preceded by a debate scheduled for Monday, 19 January. For Matteo Salvini’s Lega party, the EU-Mercosur agreement “represents a direct attack on European sovereignty and food security,” but von der Leyen is also being contested for insisting on a trade agreement that has been widely criticised and for the absence of genuine, guaranteed reciprocal measures. 

According to Article 131 of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, at least one tenth of MEPs are required to table a motion of censure against the European Commission. The first plenary session of the European Parliament in 2026 will therefore be devoted to a new vote on the continuation of the current Commission.